I am looking at aircraft performance data. There are charts for "Cruise Ceiling" and "Service Ceiling." What is the difference? (The cruise altitude is lower.)
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2 Answers
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Ceiling refers to the density altitude the aircraft is capable of reaching under a set conditions (configutaion etc.). The main difference between service and cruise ceilings is the aircraft rate of climb at those altitudes. At service ceiling, the rate of climb is 100 fpm. From FAA pilot handbook:
The service ceiling is the altitude at which the aircraft is unable to climb at a rate greater than 100 feet per minute (fpm).
The cruise ceiling, on the other hand, is the altitude at which the maximum climb rate is 300 fpm, though I've not seen it used much. The absolute ceiling is the maximum altitude where the aircraft can sustain level flight. From the same document:
At the absolute ceiling, there is no excess of power and only one speed will allow steady, level flight.
The image below shows the data for A-10.
Image from forums.eagle.ru
Note that these values depend on the aircraft configuration.
answered Feb 24, 2016 at 18:05
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$\begingroup$ Do you have a source for your cruise ceiling definition? I have seen references that do support your definition, but Peter's is different. $\endgroup$– J WFeb 25, 2016 at 1:50
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$\begingroup$ @JonathanWalters It's in A7 Pilot operating handbook, for example. $\endgroup$ Feb 25, 2016 at 12:56
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Service ceiling is generally understood as the maximum altitude at which the highest vertical speed drops below 0.5 m/s or 100 ft/min. This assumes a clean aircraft flown at the best rate of climb airspeed.
Cruise ceiling is the maximum altitude at cruise speed. Cruise speed is one of the design speeds as defined by FAR Part 25, §25.335 and is determined by the manufacturer. Also, the remaining climb speed at cruise ceiling might differ and is defined by the manufacturer if a cruise ceiling is given at all.
Since the cruise speed of an aircraft is generally higher than the best rate of climb speed, the cruise ceiling is below the service ceiling of that aircraft.
answered Feb 24, 2016 at 21:34
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$\begingroup$ Do you have a source for your cruise ceiling definition? Aeroalias' answer gives a different definition, and I am not aware of any sources that support your definition. $\endgroup$– J WFeb 25, 2016 at 1:53