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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/comm-service-ceiling-100-fpm

The service ceiling is the altitude where the airplane can no longer climb faster than what?

100 feet per minute.

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  1. 100 feet per minute ✔
  2. 500 feet per minute
  3. 0 feet per minute

Why: Service ceiling is where the best rate of climb has fallen to 100 feet per minute. The absolute ceiling is higher still, where there is no excess power and the rate of climb is zero.

Huh, didn't know that: At the absolute ceiling only one speed allows steady, level flight.

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Where do lightning bolts go on dates? To cloud nine.
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References

Answer: 100 feet per minute. Service ceiling is where the best rate of climb has fallen to 100 feet per minute. The absolute ceiling is higher still, where there is no excess power and the rate of climb is zero.

  1. PHAK ch 11, Aircraft Performance (FAA-H-8083-25C) www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/13_phak_ch11.pdf
    The service ceiling is the altitude at which the aircraft is unable to climb at a rate greater than 100 feet per minute (fpm).
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. PHAK ch 11, Aircraft Performance (FAA-H-8083-25C) www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/13_phak_ch11.pdf
    At the absolute ceiling, there is no excess of power and only one speed allows steady, level flight.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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