Originally posted by cavscout11cav
Very interesting. I must say though, this is one heck of a pilot, he managed to get 16,415 ft above the max service ceiling of his aircraft with
cannons attached to his wings.
That is some heck of flying there
He made it to 63000 ft.
Max service ceiling of SU-22 clean configuration 46,585 ft.
With all due respect mate, do not take the official figures as 'set in stone'.
The SR-71A 'BLACKBIRD', the MIG-25 'FOXBAT', the F-20 'TIGERSHARK' and the YF-23 'BLACKWIDOW II' are all mentioned to have flight envelopes
that exceed what is officially published.
After talking to many military jet pilots over 25 years, I certainly am of the belief that an official flight envelope is not what many military
aircraft are limited to, the official published figures account for safety amongst other factors.
The reality is usually between 10 and 20 percent higher than the offical published figures, and in some cases alot higher than this.
Keeping the SU-22 in the air at that altitude would have probably entailed using the afterburner, as he explained he ran out of fuel and had to glide
it back partially.
[edit on 21-5-2010 by Skellon]