service ceiling of F-22

I understand that the "high power" 1950's designs (F-104, EE Lightning) were
capable of intercept climbs to 70,000+ ft (there are stories of RAF
Lighnings doing practice intercepts on transiting U-2s over UK at their
operational ceiling - without the U-2's approval!). The Vulcan could
operationally cruise at 65,000 ft (plus?) and that is (sorry, was) the
operation hight of Concorde at the end of the fuel burn on transatlantic
flights.

"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...

ceiling figures are based on the actual performance
of the aircraft

In theory, "service ceiling" is the altitude at which an aircraft can
no longer climb at 100 feet per minute. "Absolute ceiling" is the
altitude at which it can no longer climb at all.

However, it is an honored tradition to hand out misleading ceiling
information. The B-36 had a service ceiling I believe in the high
30Ks, but was known to have flown at 50K and above.

I'm amazed at the notion of a 50K-plus service ceiling being thrown
around here. This modern fighters must be more like rockets than jet
planes. In the 1950s-1960s the only planes that could get up that high
were semi-gliders like the B-36 and the U-2.

What is the practical altitude limit at which a jet can no longer
ingest enough air to keep it operational?

all the best -- Dan Ford
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