Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

In a twin-engine airplane, the single-engine service ceiling is the maximum density altitude at which VYSE will produce what rate of climb?

1. 50 feet per minute rate of climb.

2. 100 feet per minute rate of climb.

3. 500 feet per minute rate of climb.

4. 1,000 feet per minute rate of climb.

The correct answer is: 50 feet per minute rate of climb.

The single-engine service ceiling for a twin-engine airplane is defined as the maximum density altitude at which the aircraft can maintain a steady rate of climb while operating on one engine, specifically at the best rate of climb speed for single-engine operations, known as VYSE. This ceiling is a critical performance metric for twin-engine aircraft, particularly for flight safety and operational planning. The reason why a 50 feet per minute rate of climb is the correct answer stems from the definition of the service ceiling itself. At this altitude, the aircraft can only achieve a very minimal climb performance due to the reduced power output from one engine. When flying at VYSE at this density altitude, the performance limitations of the aircraft manifest due to the inherent loss of thrust and lift associated with single-engine operation. As such, the other reported climb rates, like 100, 500, or 1,000 feet per minute, would signify performance levels beyond the defined single-engine service ceiling for the aircraft in this scenario. The service ceiling indicates the point at which any further increases in altitude would not yield positive climb performance, emphasizing why the standard threshold is often set at 50 feet per minute. This aligns with the training and operational guidelines for safely operating a twin-engine aircraft in