The Rutans and crew pretty thoroughl researched this maximum range

thing

and concluded (rightly) that low and slow was the best for range. I

know

this is contrary to common belief, but a close look at aircraft and

engine

characteristics will verify this. Vance

The range on my 182 goes up slightly with altitude as I recall. The

books with

the
range charts are up in the hangar. I'll check them out tomorrow. I

agree with

the slow part. There is an overall drag bucket where induced drag

drops off

and skin
and form drag starts to dominate.

Paul Lamar

Hi Vance,

How low would low be, 8,000 to 10,000 feet?

Doug

Unfortunately - low is less than 8000 feet, which does all sorts of nasty
things to your flight planning (Many of which happened to the Voyager)
things like nasty weather and limited power off gliding range. I admire
your goals, but I hope you have a realistic view of the challanges
involved - but without risk takers, we would still be huddled behind the
fire in the mouth of the cave - Vance

I suspect range increases with a turbo engine and with altitude although I have 
no evidence  to back it up yet.

Paul Lamar

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