Subject: SR-71 - Ceiling
Edited by David Barth, November 21, 2008
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SR-71 in flight |
The original published maximum operational ceiling for the SR-71 was 82,000 feet, not much more than the U-2 that flew at 70,000 feet. To put it into perspective, airliners don't fly above 43,000 feet, and some Learjets are certificated to fly at 50,000 feet.
If the maximum ceiling of the SR-71 seems a bit distorted, for a billion dollar, high-tech, 2,000 mph aircraft, it is. Later reports noted that the initial altitude of the SR-71, with a full load of fuel following a "tank" from a special tanker that carried only SR-71 JP-7 fuel, was 95,000 feet, with the aircraft ascending to as high as 98,000 feet as fuel burned off.
During the SR-71 era, an air traffic controller in Denver reported to his manager a contact flying at approximately 100,000 feet as shown on his altitude radar. His manager told him it was a classified flight and the altitude was top secret.
Links to additional SR-71 Articles:
SR-71 - Inflight Breakup
SR-71 - Ceiling
SR-71 - Landing at Buckley ANG Base
SR-71 - Cancellation
SR-71 - Flight over France
SR-71 - Landing at Grand Forks, ND AFB
SR-71 - History
SR-71 - Flight over Libya
SR-71 - Navy challenge
SR-71 - Fueling from KC-135 Tankers
SR-71 - Titanium construction