What determines the ceiling height of an aircraft?

With respect to aircraft performance, a ceiling is the maximum density altitude an aircraft can reach under a set of conditions, as determined by its flight envelope.

What is the ceiling in aviation?

In aviation, ceiling is a measurement of the height of the base of the lowest clouds (not to be confused with cloud base which has a specific definition) that cover more than half of the sky (more than 4 oktas) relative to the ground.

What makes a plane fly higher?

The reason aeroplanes fly so high is due to improved fuel efficiency. A jet engine operates more efficiently at higher altitude where the air is much thinner, allowing an aircraft to travel faster whilst at the same time, burning less fuel.

What is the maximum height an airplane can fly?

Answer: The highest commercial airliner altitude was 60,000 feet by Concorde. The highest military air-breathing engine airplane was the SR-71 — about 90,000 feet. The highest airliner flying today reaches 45,000 feet. The highest business jet flying today reaches 51,000 feet.

What determines cloud ceiling?

When Federal Air Regulations refer to “ceilings” for weather minimums, the FAA defines a ceiling as: “The height of the lowest layer of clouds above the surface that are either broken or overcast, but not thin.” But since METAR and SPECI observations don’t include the term “thin,” anything reported as broken or …

Are ceilings AGL or MSL?

You have it right. TAF’s and METAR’s are always AGL. Area Forecasts (FA) are always MSL unless the height is specifically tagged AGL or CIG (for “ceiling”). It may seem annoying that FA’s are MSL, but they cover large areas where the terrain may vary but the clould bases are usually at a constant height MSL.

How high can a Cessna 172 go?

Depending on the model 172, this is between 13,000-15,000 feet ASL. A Cessna 172SP has a published service ceiling of 14,000 feet ASL.

What is the difference between the service ceiling and the absolute ceiling?

The absolute ceiling is the altitude at which the (maximum) rate of climb goes to zero. The service ceiling is the altitude at which the maximum rate of climb is 100 ft/min. ( 0.5 m/s) for piston powered aircraft or 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s) for jet powered aircraft.