On 8 May 1937, Lieutenant Colonel Mario Pezzi broke the world altitude record with a flight to 15,655 m (51,362 ft). The following year, Pezzi broke the record again in the more powerful Ca.161bis, making a flight to 17,083 m (56,047 ft) on 22 October 1938.^[1] The Grob Strato 2C broke this record for piston-powered crewed airplanes generally in 1995, but as of 2024 it still stands for piston-powered biplanes, and for crewed single-engine piston aircraft.

A final altitude record for floatplanes was set on 25 September 1939 in the float-equipped Ca.161Idro, piloted by Nicola di Mauro to 13,542 m (44,429 ft). As of 2024, this record also still stands.

• Ca.161 – original version with Piaggio P.XI R.C.72 engine
• Ca.161bis – improved version with Piaggio P.XI R.C.100/2v
• Ca.161Idro – floatplane version

Data from Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930–1945 apart from weights

General characteristics

• Crew: one, pilot
• Length: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 14.25 m (46 ft 9 in)
• Height: 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 35.5 m² (382 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,205 kg (2,657 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,650 kg (3,638 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Piaggio P.XI R.C.100/2v 14-cylinder radial driving a 4-blade propeller , 560 kW (750 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 100 km/h (60 mph, 52 kn)
• Service ceiling: 17,083 m (56,047 ft)
• Rate of climb: 10.3 m/s (2,020 ft/min)

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Bristol Type 138
• Caproni Ca.113
• Junkers Ju 49
• Potez 506

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 236.
• Thompson, Jonathan (1963). Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930–1945. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, Inc. p. 93.