AOPA Online Instructor Reports - Pivotal Altitude Explained
....
Pivotal altitude depends on groundspeed. The faster
the groundspeed, ... To estimate pivotal altitude, square
the groundspeed and then divide by 15 if you ...
http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications...fm?article=226
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To estimate pivotal altitude, square the groundspeed
and then divide by 15 if you use mph, or 11.3 if you prefer
knots.
That will provide a starting altitude. For example,
100 mph times 100 equals 10,000, divided by 15 equals 666
feet approximate
pivotal altitude. A groundspeed of 95 mph results in a
pivotal altitude of 600 feet.
Hence, traveling at 100 mph on the fast side, pivotal
altitude is 666 feet. On the slower side-the side into the
wind-95 mph results in a
pivotal altitude that is 60 feet lower than the fast
side.


Using mph 200^2 is 40,000/15 equals 2666.66 and 300 needs
6,000 feet. A Cub is down around 500 feet. But 200 knots
gives 3539 feet and 300 knots needs 7965, high about small
arms, but still range of shoulder fired missiles.

Of course the C-130 can carry the Daisy Cutter and MOAB to
really clear the area.




"Bill Watson" wrote in message
...
| Jim Macklin wrote:
| The FAA commercial maneuver known as Turns On A Point.
It
| is done by using pivotal altitude.
|
| and using pitch to adjust for wind. A fun and rewarding
maneuver.
|
| So, what is pivotal altitude for AC-130 flying at what?
200+? knots
|
| The faster, the higher, the better, I would guess.
|
|
|
| "Montblack"
wrote
| in message ...
| | ("Jay Honeck" wrote)
| | The recent obliteration of the Somali chapter of Al
| Queda by an AC-130
| | gunship (See
| http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/ac-130.htm if you
| | don't know what one looks like) got me wondering
how,
| exactly, one
| | would pilot such a craft during an attack.
| |
| |
| | http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16576458/
| | Ooooh, so close.
| |
| | Would you like to take another shot at winning your
gal
| that big stuffed
| | Teddy Bear? All it takes to "win" is ONE BBBBILLION
| dollars. Who'll play.
| | Who's next? How 'bout you fella?
| |
| |
| | Montblack
| |
| |
|
|