Originally Posted by
Spartan07
Perhaps misreading some of the investigative materials. In some of the reports I have read they mention that Pinnacle Airline's dispatch had authorized the flight for an enroute altitude of I believe 37,000 feet. Thus making 41,000 feet UNauthorized to the layman.
IIRC FL410 used to be authorized for the -200. It was reduced after the Pinnacle incident. These relatively short range jets don't have the wings to go above FL400 with much weight. Compare the proportions of a GV to a E175. They actually weigh about the same at max gross. The proportion of wing to fuselage of the GV is much larger. We fly airplanes with long fuselages and short wings that are designed for optimum cruise in the low 30's.