Depends...probably about 30 minutes to get up to FL410. But my guess is that you won't actually go that high generally speaking. These new generation engines are very efficient, even in the high 20's and low 30's. There will really have to be a need to go all the way to FL410. Also, you won't see too many step-climbs...they just aren't as prevalent or bad as you think.

Lastly, plenty of corporate jets and airliners fly at FL410. I was there in a 737 the other day.

-Neal

long day here - whatddya mean?

You said the airliner looks small 8000 feet below. I was just saying that the little Citation looks even smaller 8000 feet above from the vantage point of that airliner. Bad pilot joke, sorry

got it. I'm slow today.

You didn't tell us you finally pulled the trigger on the PC-12.

The Altaire rivaled the BAE Nimrod for ugliest airplane.

http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/fa ... imrod.html

It looked retro, and not in a good way.

The HondaJet folks told me that ROC was 1100fpm as you climb. If true, it's going to take a lot longer to get to 41K' than 30 minutes with step ups. It doesn't seem you can get the advertised range without going to 41K'.

You didn't tell us you finally pulled the trigger on the PC-12.

Somebody named a plane the "Nimrod" on purpose? Ouch.

I have to admit - I kind of liked the Altaire styling.

HondaJet is advertising 3990fpm at sea level on takeoff. It definitely is going to be much better than 1100fpm in the first 20,000 feet or so. I don't doubt that climb rate will taper off in the flight levels though...as it does for all jets.

The HondaJet has 4000lbs of thrust for 9200lbs MGTOW. For comparison, the Mustang has 3000lbs of thrust for 8645lbs MGTOW and the Phenom 100 has 3400lbs of thrust for 10472lbs MGTOW. Even the CJ3 has 5640lbs of thrust for a 13870lb MGTOW. In other words, it has a significantly higher thrust to weight ratio than all 3 of those airplanes (and will perform better as a result).

-Neal

I always thought the Nimrod looked kind of cool, that is until I saw this photo with the Radome on the front and the rear. The version without them has much better lines.

HondaJet is advertising 3990fpm at sea level on takeoff. It definitely is going to be much better than 1100fpm in the first 20,000 feet or so. I don't doubt that climb rate will taper off in the flight levels though...as it does for all jets.

The HondaJet has 4000lbs of thrust for 9200lbs MGTOW. For comparison, the Mustang has 3000lbs of thrust for 8645lbs MGTOW and the Phenom 100 has 3400lbs of thrust for 10472lbs MGTOW. Even the CJ3 has 5640lbs of thrust for a 13870lb MGTOW. In other words, it has a significantly higher thrust to weight ratio than all 3 of those airplanes (and will perform better as a result).

-Neal

They are beautiful. JA Air has a few around that keep luring me over. While I am over thinking of the Epic for many reasons, including the experimental label, I am not interested in the TBM mostly because it is too cramped inside. More importantly, I just don't like them. I would not have taken an Altair unless given to me. Even then, I would have sold it for something I could have liked to look at.

Nick

I flew my friends PC12 down here to FXE yesterday for the boat show. Beautiful bird. I love is airplane.

But.......

I came down at 25k' and ATC vectored me all the way down the west side of the state and stuck me behind a slow king air. I could've made it down here just as fast in my Bo going vfr at 13.5k' at a fraction of the cost.

Look at this craziness. I flew out of pdk but filed out of Macon. I like to depart atlanta by flying under the bravo and picking up clearence south of town as a climb.

You can see over Tampa I finally had enough, dropped to 17.5k' and took it the rest of the way vfr. But then I was burning lots of gas. You can't win dealing with ATC.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N229NG

Seems like that happens a lot going south through FL keeping you west of all that restricted stuff and ORL. Probably have to take VFR down the coast.