service ceiling

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Definitions from WordNet

Noun service ceiling has 1 sense

combat ceiling, service ceiling - altitude above which a plane cannot climb faster than a given rate
--₁ is a kind of ceiling

Definitions from the Web

Service Ceiling

Service Ceiling refers to the maximum altitude at which an aircraft can effectively perform and maintain certain levels of performance.

Parts of Speech:

Noun

Senses:

Sense 1: The maximum altitude an aircraft can reach while still maintaining adequate climbing performance.
Sense 2: The highest altitude an aircraft can sustain level flight without a significant decrease in airspeed.

Usages:

Popular Usage:

The service ceiling of this commercial airliner is 42,000 feet, allowing it to fly comfortably at high altitudes.

Local Usage:

In this region, due to the high elevation, the service ceiling for most aircraft is significantly lower.

Sample Sentences:

The service ceiling of fighter jets enables them to operate efficiently even at higher altitudes.
The pilot announced that the aircraft had reached its service ceiling, and they would now begin the descent.
For helicopters, the service ceiling is crucial as it determines their ability to fly in mountainous areas.
At the service ceiling, the air becomes thinner, and the performance of the aircraft starts to decline.