service ceiling

British  

noun

1. the height above sea level, measured under standard conditions, at which the rate of climb of an aircraft has fallen to a specified amount Compare absolute ceiling

---

Example Sentences

The highest-performing fighter aircraft typically do not operate above 65,000 feet, although spy planes such as the U-2 have a service ceiling of 80,000 feet or more.

From Reuters

The jet has a 38-foot wingspan, is 38 feet long and will fly at Mach 0.6, with a service ceiling of 30,000 feet.

From Washington Times

It packs missiles and fast-firing 20-mm. cannons, has a 1,000 mi. combat range, a service ceiling of 55,000 ft.

From Time Magazine Archive

Without pressurized cabins, planes now fly as high as 14,000 feet; with them, passengers will feel no discomfort at DC-4s service ceiling, 22,900 feet.

From Time Magazine Archive

Its speed: "supersonic"; its operating radius: 560 nautical miles; its service ceiling: 50,000 ft.

From Time Magazine Archive