Hi All,

Special thanks to Glenn for giving us our very own conference for the Super Commander. In celebration, we have news for you today:

We set out this afternoon to determine 5LP's service ceiling... the altitude at which she can no longer sustain a climb of at least 100 FPM.

We were 15 mins to 15,000 (which she'll do every time) with me managing oil temp carefully from about 10K on up. At about 15K, the oil temp started coming down and the 580 responded with vigor to my weaning her off the cowl flaps and leaning the mixture down to 15ish GPH. From there on up, every time I'd call out 200 FPM to Rob, today's test pilot, we'd just find a new airspeed and settings groove to coax her back to 300-400. We had to stop at DA 22,000 because today's FO, me, was losing visual acuity and our bottle was flirting with empty. We were done... but she was NOT. Maybe 24,000?

Today's takeoff was at 2850 lbs. OAT ran from about ISA-5 at the surface to about 10C warmer than standard at the top.

I am going to need another new pair of socks!

Jim