Plane Facts: Altitude

Everything you wanted to know about altitude.

altitude
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Aviation altitude capabilities have dramatically evolved from the first powered flight at 20 feet to modern records exceeding 123,000 feet, with various aircraft types operating at distinct typical service ceilings.
  • Commercial airliners typically cruise around 35,000-45,000 feet, while general aviation planes operate lower (13,000-17,500 feet), and specialized helicopters can reach over 42,000 feet.
  • High altitudes present unique challenges and records, requiring oxygen for pilots above 14,000 feet, defining the location of the world's highest cities and airports, and even dictating the flight limits of the highest-flying birds at 37,000 feet.
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altitude

Altitude of first powered flight (1903): 20 ft.
Time airborne: 12 seconds
Distance traveled: 120 ft.
Modern record by ground-launched airplane: 123,523 ft.
Aircraft: MiG-25 fighter
Max speed of MiG-25RB: Mach 2.83

Typical airliner service ceiling: 45,000 ft.
Average cruising altitude: 35,000 ft.
Miles from ground: 7
Altitude loss during moderate turbulence: 10-20 ft.
How much it feels like to passengers: Hundreds
Americans with aviophobia (fear of flying): 6.5%

Service ceiling of Cessna 172: 13,000-15,000 ft. ASL
Cirrus SR22: 17,500 ft.
Turbine-engine helicopters: 25,000 ft.
At hover: 10,000-13,000 ft.
World record for helicopter flight: 42,489 ft.
Model: AS350 B2 “Squirrel”

Lowest airshow maneuver by the Blue Angels: 50 ft.
Maneuver name: Sneak Pass
Speed performed: 700 mph
Speed of sound: 767 mph
Average underwear changes by public after Sneak Pass: A lot
Maximum climb rate of F/A-18: 30,000 ft./min.

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Altitude requiring oxygen by pilots at all times: 14,000 ft.
Elevation of highest city in the world: 16,830 ft.
Location: La Rinconada, Peru
Residents: 50,000

Highest-altitude airport in North America: Lake County Airport, Leadville, Colorado
World ranking: Third
Elevation: 9,927 ft. ASL
Average density altitude in summer: 13,000 ft.
Runway length: 6,400 ft.

Average skydiving altitude: 13,000 ft. AGL
Time in freefall: 60 seconds
Parachute pull altitude: 2,500-4,500 ft.
Deployment distance required: 600-1,200 ft.
Minimum height to activate Cirrus CAPS: 400 ft.

Highest-flying bird in the world: Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture
Confirmed altitude of flight: 37,000 ft. ASL

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