Builders who plan to fly in mountains needing higher altitude should
consider their engine choices. Typical Lycoming low compression engines
have a limit of about 13,500 feet. You need higher compression engines
or turbocharging for higher altitudes. I tested my high compression
(10.5) Franklin 6A-350 to 18,000 legal VFR limit and quit - still was
doing about 200ft/min. A friend of mine with a 0-320 maxed out at
13,300.

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SQ2000 canard: http://www.abri.com/sq2000