OK, here's a corner of the forum that hasn't been poked in a while, so I'll give it a shot:
If AE and FN wanted to climb above the clouds to try and get a navigational sight on the overnight part of the flight, what would have to be considered in terms of time, speed, distance, fuel, oxygen, weather, etc.?
For starters, how about a climb on course at a maximum fuel efficiency rate of climb from their cruising altitude at 1400Z to 19,000 feet for 10 minutes straight and level, then a return to cruise altitude at the most efficient rate of descent?
I'm not a pilot or an aerographer, so I look forward to some educational input from those who are. Can someone describe the most likely profile, the pros and cons of such a maneuver, and whether it would make sense to try it if you hadn't been able to determine your position, SMG, CMG and winds aloft due to overcast skies?