Actually, my 172 has a ceiling of 17,000 feet (180 HP conversion) but it does take a long time for the last few thousand. On the other hand, it does have a heater ��
Could have done with one of those in the footwell. Didn’t dress in all my arctic gear as I didn’t think the wave was going that high.
As of a couple of weeks ago, you will need a very serious aircraft indeed to go higher than a
glider can - I don’t think there is anything sub-sonic that is able to.