renrich
Chief Master Sergeant
HoHun, I can't remember the exact definition of service ceiling but it is something like the altitude at which the AC can no longer climb at 500 fpm(or maybe less) If the service ceiling is 29000 feet, one does not want to get in a fight at that altitude because your performance is so poor. Also if an AC which has good maneuverability at lower altitudes gets really high his wings don't deliver the lift necessary to turn well. That is the reason that AC meant to perform at high altitudes such as the Spitfire HF MkVI or the TA 152 (or the U2) had long span wings to provide more lift at high altitudes. Of course, those long span wings don't perform so well at low altitudes.