Ceiling

Ceiling

What does Ceiling mean in aviation?

The Importance of the Ceiling for Visibility

The ceiling in aviation refers to the height of the lowest layer of clouds or obstructions to visibility.

In aviation meteorology, the ceiling is the height above the Earth's surface of the lowest layer of clouds or obscuring phenomena reported as overcast or broken.

• Impact on Flight Operations: The ceiling is a crucial factor in flight planning, especially for visual flight rules (VFR) and instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.
• Measurement and Reporting: It is typically measured in feet and reported in weather observations and forecasts.
• Safety and Navigation: Pilots use ceiling information to make decisions about flight paths, approaches, and whether to proceed under VFR or IFR.

The ceiling is an important meteorological measurement in aviation, affecting flight planning, safety, and operations.