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Performance and weight and balanceQuestion 844 of 934

What is the service ceiling of an airplane?

  1. The altitude at which it cannot climb at all
  2. The altitude at which the engine can no longer produce its full rated power
  3. The altitude at which it cannot climb faster than 100 feet per minute
  4. The altitude at which it reaches its maximum speed
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Correct answer: The altitude at which it cannot climb faster than 100 feet per minute

The service ceiling is where the airplane can no longer climb at more than 100 fpm. At the absolute ceiling, the rate of climb is zero.

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance — Climb Performance Factors, page 264

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Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026