Quick question for current bomber operators

[Steve Nelson]

I'm curious about how high B-17s, 24s, and even the 29 normally operate these days. Obviously on passenger flights you stay fairly low, I'm assuming 2,000 feet or so. But what about when transiting between tour stops? I would imagine you'd want to still stay fairly low to avoid wear-and-tear on the engines and systems, but is your altitude mostly dictated by traffic and airspace concerns? I was talking to a friend who flew on Yankee Lady from Willow Run to D.C. for the dedication of the USAF memorial, and he said they were above the cloud deck, and high enough for icing to be a concern.

Thanks!

Steve

[CAPFlyer]

I'm curious about how high B-17s, 24s, and even the 29 normally operate these days. Obviously on passenger flights you stay fairly low, I'm assuming 2,000 feet or so. But what about when transiting between tour stops? I would imagine you'd want to still stay fairly low to avoid wear-and-tear on the engines and systems, but is your altitude mostly dictated by traffic and airspace concerns? I was talking to a friend who flew on Yankee Lady from Willow Run to D.C. for the dedication of the USAF memorial, and he said they were above the cloud deck, and high enough for icing to be a concern.

Thanks!

Steve

The highest I've seen FiFi or 'Lil flying is 10,000-ish. There just isn't a need to go higher.

Also, flying out of Michigan in October, the icing level is often below 10,000 feet and not uncommonly below 5000, so they didn't have to go very high to worry about icing.

[JimH]

We only went up high to cross the Cascades or some parts of the Rockies. I've been to 12,000 in the 17 and 24. We normally don't go more than 2,000 agl on move flights and generally 1,000-1,500 on local passenger flights. Our exemption letter dictates a minimum of 1,000 agl on passenger flights. NO low passes. Mac and I have had ice a couple times in the 17...it's not a big deal.

Jim

[b17engineer]

Also, remember that these aircraft want to be seen by the public. They are flown fairly low to get people to look and say "Wow, a B-17 (or whatever). Wonder where they are going. Wait, they're heading towards my airport. I think I'll go see them".

[maxum96]

Somewhat in the vein of the current thread, I know FIFI no longer has superchargers and can't pressurize the fuselage. But is that the same with Doc? I understand there's no reason to pressurize (lower altitude flight now as a flying museum piece) and to save wear and tear on the fuselage.

[b17engineer]

I'm not familiar with Doc's systems, but they are running the same engine combination as FiFi, I would guess that it does not have the turbos as well.

[Steve Nelson]

Thanks for the info, guys. Like I said, it was just a bit of idle curiosity.

SN