In realism settings check display true airspeed.and that should fix that if i am thinking along the same lines as you are.and climb it up to FL 30 thousand and open it up and see if it reads diffrent.

Ok, then how about a couple basic flight questions:

- What is minimum IFR flight alt?
- What is max speed at VFR alt?

He goes:

14 CFR - CHAPTER I - PART 91

§  91.177  Minimum altitudes for IFR operations.

(a) Operation of aircraft at minimum altitudes. Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft under IFR below --

(1) The applicable minimum altitudes prescribed in parts 95 and 97 of this chapter; or

(2) If no applicable minimum altitude is prescribed in those parts --

(i) In the case of operations over an area designated as a mountainous area in part 95, an altitude of 2,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of 4 nautical miles from the course to be flown; or

(ii) In any other case, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of 4 nautical miles from the course to be flown. However, if both a MEA and a MOCA are prescribed for a particular route or route segment, a person may operate an aircraft below the MEA down to, but not below, the MOCA, when within 22 nautical miles of the VOR concerned (based on the pilot's reasonable estimate of that distance).



Sec. 91.117

Aircraft speed.

(a) Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, no person may operate an aircraft below 10,000 feet MSL at an indicated airspeed of more than 250 knots (288 m.p.h.).
(b) Unless otherwise authorized or required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft at or below 2,500 feet above the surface within 4 nautical miles of the primary airport of a Class C or Class D airspace area at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph). This paragraph (b) does not apply to any operations within a Class B airspace area. Such operations shall comply with paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) No person may operate an aircraft in the airspace underlying a Class B airspace area designated for an airport or in a VFR corridor designated through such a Class B airspace area, at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph).
(d) If the minimum safe airspeed for any particular operation is greater than the maximum speed prescribed in this section, the aircraft may be operated at that minimum speed.


Amdt. 91-233, Eff. 9/16/93

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf/MainFrame?Op...

Hope that answers your questions.

JF

Remember, these regulations were written mainly by lawyers... They won't tell you everything. I've been using the FARs for quite a while, I'm used to the vocabulary they use.

Though I'm not a pilot, the following sentence (a) ...

"Sec. 91.117

Aircraft speed.

(a) Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, no person may operate an aircraft below 10,000 feet MSL at an indicated airspeed of more than 250 knots (288 m.p.h.). "...

means that higher than FL100, you cam fly as fast as the aircraft will allow you to.

JF

First off, I don't know the FARs like JF does so this is just a "layman's" opinion.

It seems to me that the F16s got into trouble because of the noise generated by the sonic boom.  Speed in and of itself I don't think was the issue.  If it were possible to fly at mach 2 and not create a sonic boom I think the Concorde would still be flying.  However, at this stage you can't separate the two so pilots have to be careful.

Even at normal speeds there are noise abatement laws all over the US.  Airline pilots have very strict altitudes, speeds and headings to control noise over neighborhoods around airports.

So, in general, above 10,000 feet you can fly as fast as you like as long as you don't disturb the community you're flying over.

If this sounds like catch 22 it probably is.

gw

Golf Wiskey / Mickey, remember, if you're talking F-16, that's another ball game... The FARs don't apply to the military. They have their own rules. As for the noise abatement rulemaking, you are right. Sonic boom was a major player in Concorde's downfall.

JF

PS. Mickey, even though I live in Quebec, I know that canyon past Phoenix (Highway 10?)... Worked For BA Learjet in Tucson for 6 months a couple years ago. Nice spot: I understand why people would stop along the freeway to watch the show.

Another good spot which you should know living in Pheonix is the end of runway 08 at Sky Harbor, along the back road. Took some great pics back then. And the sound the wing makes when cutting through the air is unbelievable.