Aircraft Altitude Levels

Aircraft Altitude Levels

HIGH ORBIT
Geostationary satellites and other space vehicles fly in high orbit. High orbit is one inch below the ceiling.

LOW ORBIT
Photo reconnaissance platforms and near Earth space vehicles. Low orbit is five inches below the ceiling.

EXTREME
Limited reconnaissance aircraft only, no ground attacks. Extreme is ten inches below the ceiling.

HIGH
Ground attack by level bombers, takes place on the D chart unless target is illuminated, then use the C chart. High is thirty inches above ground level.

MEDIUM
Ground attack by medium bombers, uses the C chart unless the target is illuminated, then use the B chart. This is the maximum altitude level for open cockpit aircraft. Medium is twenty inches above ground level.

DIVE BOMBING
Dive bomber aircraft, use the B chart. Start at high level and move to low level to drop the bomb. Descend one level per phase.

LOW
Ground attack by any aircraft, B chart unless the target is illuminated, then use the A chart. Low level is ten inches above ground level.

NAP OF THE EARTH
NOE is one inch above ground level. Modern aircraft and helicopters are the only aircraft that can fly NOE.

GROUND
The ground is the surface of the land, water, trees or buildings.