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TjW0569 t1_jdvnivx wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in Does living in an airplane flight path, near an airport, pose a health risk? What happens to the lead from the jets fuel? by [deleted]

Lots of gliders have done that in wave. Of course, that's off topic, since they typically have zero emissions.

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dittybopper_05H t1_jdwaczh wrote

This is true, but it's also irrelevant if you live in, say, Topeka, Kansas and Aunt Edna lives in Stevens Point, Wisconsin or Abilene, Texas.

The topography required for that kind of soaring requires both the right topography and the right weather conditions.

I mean, sure, the Perlan 2 sailplane beat the altitude record set by the U-2 spy plane. That doesn't mean the USAF is going to start using sailplanes for photoreconnaissance flights.

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TjW0569 t1_jdwwh65 wrote

You might be surprised where waves can set up. Be that as it may, private ownership of an aircraft able to reach 30,000 feet isn't out of the question.

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dittybopper_05H t1_jdzxwot wrote

You absolutely can own them, many people do. But if you fly between 18,000 feet and 60,000 feet, you must fly under IFR rules, and be in contact with air traffic control.

Above 60,000 feet is uncontrolled airspace, however, so you're free to do what you want if you can reach those altitudes. Good luck getting an aircraft that will fly that high, however.

One of the few aircraft I know of that can operate that high is the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, and there are 15 privately owned ones in the FAA registry. Most seem to be owned by a couple of corporations, but a handful look like they are either owned individually, or perhaps through an LLC (common for very expensive aircraft).

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