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Service Ceiling
The maximum density altitude at which an airplane can maintain a specified climb rate, commonly 100 feet per minute under standard certification definitions. Mountain flight planning compares expected density altitude and climb demand against service ceiling and published climb performance with realistic weight and temperature.
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Learn more in Private Pilot License →Related Terms
- SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information)An in-flight weather advisory for significant hazards that may affect all aircraft, such as severe icing, severe or extreme turbulence, dust storms, or volcanic ash. SIGMETs are checked with convective SIGMETs and G-AIRMETs when building a route weather picture.
- Simulated InstrumentInstrument flight time logged while flying by reference to instruments under a view-limiting device, with a safety pilot or instructor on board. Simulated instrument time counts toward instrument rating and instrument currency requirements when logged correctly under 14 CFR 61.51 and 61.65.
- Sky ConditionThe reported amount and height of cloud layers, typically described with contractions such as FEW, SCT, BKN, and OVC plus the layer altitude. ATIS, METAR, and ASOS/AWOS broadcasts include sky condition so pilots can compare ceilings and cloud coverage with personal minimums and VFR requirements.
- Slip/SkidUncoordinated flight conditions. A slip occurs when the aircraft is banked too much for the rate of turn (ball deflected toward the turn). A skid occurs when there is too much rudder for the bank angle (ball deflected away from the turn). The inclinometer (ball) indicates coordination.