Plane Facts: Altitude

Everything you wanted to know about altitude.

Plane & Pilot

Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at 01:26 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Aviation flight altitudes have progressed from 20 ft for the first powered flight in 1903 to a modern record of 123,523 ft by a MiG-25 fighter.
Different aircraft types operate at a wide range of altitudes, with airliners typically cruising at 35,000-45,000 ft, general aviation planes like the Cessna 172 at 13,000-15,000 ft, and helicopters holding a record of 42,489 ft.
Humans engage with high altitudes in various ways, from requiring oxygen above 14,000 ft and living in cities at over 16,800 ft, to recreational activities like skydiving typically from 13,000 ft.
Beyond human flight, the Rüppell's Griffon Vulture holds the record for the highest-flying bird, confirmed at an altitude of 37,000 ft.

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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: RÃ¼ppell’s Griffon Vulture
Confirmed altitude of flight: 37,000 ft. ASL