Difference between service ceiling and max allowable altitude?

[D_G]

The caravan POH shows 22,800 service ceiling, and 25,000 max allowable altitude.

Thanks.

 

[minitour]

Doesn't service cieling have something to do with a Vx or Vy climb or like 100fpm???

Someone help me out here...Give-a-brotha-a-hand!

-mini

 

[generaltso]

I thought service ceiling was a 50fpm climb.

 

[Singlecoil]

Isn't it service ceiling for a twin is 100fpm climb, and for a single 50 fpm climb?

 

[EagleRJ]

Service ceiling is where climb rate decreases to 50 fpm under standard conditions.

Max allowable altitude is regulatory, since the Caravan doesn't have drop-down oxygen masks. You probably wouldn't be able to climb that high anyway, but if you were able to, you couldn't go above FL250.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

EagleRJ, good comment on the 208.

So why does the PA31 have a 24,000 max allowable (24,000 not FL240) altitude?

 

[VNugget]

Can you guys point me to where you got the 50 fpm figure? It's 100 everyone I've seen. Doesn't seem to be defined in the FARs or AIM, though.

 

[Lead Sled]

Don't forget that the service ceiling is also based on a max gross weight takeoff. As fuel is burned off, the aircraft is able to climb higher - above the max gross weight service ceiling. At that point, the maximum allowable altitude becomes limiting. Case in point, take the Gulfstream G100 as an example, at a max gross weight takeoff, the airplane is capable of climbing to approxiamately FL410. As the flight continues and fuel is consumed, the airplane can "step climb" up to FL450 - its certified ceiling and maximum operating altitude.

'Sled

 

[uwochris]

My understanding is:

Service Ceiling (for a twin): the density altitude where you achieve a 100 FPM climb rate with both engines operating.

Single Engine Service Ceiling (one engine inop and feathered): the density altitude where you achieve a 50 FPM climb rate.

Absolute Ceiling: the density altitude where the rate of climb is 0. Vx=Vy here (zero angle of climb and zero rate of climb).

I got this stuff from the Jepp Multi Engine Manual.

 

[cands]

you need a high altitude endorsement to fly an aircraft that has a service ceiling or max operating altitude, whichever is lower, above 25,000 msl. in The caravan you don't need one.