What is the service ceiling?

What is the service ceiling?

• A. 12,000 ft
• B. 14,700 ft
• C. 15,000 ft
• D. 16,000 ft

Answer: (B)

Service ceiling is the highest altitude at which an aircraft can still climb at a specified rate, typically about 100 feet per minute, with maximum continuous power. Beyond this height, even full power can’t maintain that climb rate, so you can’t continue climbing at that standard rate. The numbers shown are typical for light general aviation airplanes, and 14,700 feet is the level where the climb rate with full power falls to roughly 100 fpm. Below that, you could climb faster than 100 fpm; above it, the rate drops below that threshold. So 14,700 feet is the defined service ceiling.

Service ceiling is the highest altitude at which an aircraft can still climb at a specified rate, typically about 100 feet per minute, with maximum continuous power. Beyond this height, even full power can’t maintain that climb rate, so you can’t continue climbing at that standard rate.

The numbers shown are typical for light general aviation airplanes, and 14,700 feet is the level where the climb rate with full power falls to roughly 100 fpm. Below that, you could climb faster than 100 fpm; above it, the rate drops below that threshold. So 14,700 feet is the defined service ceiling.