This listing of flight altitude records are the records set for the highest aeronautical flights conducted in the atmosphere, set since the age of ballooning. 

Some, but not all of the records were certified by the non-profit international aviation organization, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). One reason for a lack of 'official' certification was that the flight occurred prior to the creation of the FAI. 

For clarity, the "Fixed-wing aircraft" table is sorted by FAI-designated categories as determined by whether the record-creating aircraft left the ground by its own power (category "Altitude"), or whether it was first carried aloft by a carrier-aircraft prior to its record setting event (category "Altitude gain", or formally "Altitude Gain, Aeroplane Launched from a Carrier Aircraft"). Other sub-categories describe the airframe, and more importantly, the powerplant type (since rocket-powered aircraft can have greater altitude abilities than those with air-breathing engines). 

An essential requirement for the creation of an "official" altitude record is the employment of FAI-certified observers present during the record-setting flight. Thus several records noted are unofficial due to the lack of such observers. 

On November 26, 2005, Vijaypat Singhania set the world altitude record for highest hot-air-balloon flight, reaching . He launched from downtown Bombay, India, and landed south in Panchale. The previous record of had been set by Per Lindstrand on June 6, 1988 in Plano, Texas.
Who took a hot air balloon up the farthest?
Did he set a national or international record?
When did he do this?
What date?
Where did he take off?
And come down?
Who held the record before?
When was his flight?
Where?
Which group certifies these records?
Which stands for?
What category covers crafts that take off with their own energy?
And those that use other crafts to get off the ground?
What do you need to have an "official" record?
Do all records have these?
Are there any records before the age of ballooning?
What are some of the sub-categories of the records?
Name another one.
Were all the records certified by FAI?
Why not?
Vijaypat Singhania
On November 26, 2005, Vijaypat Singhania set the world altitude record for highest hot-air-balloon flight, reaching . He launched from downtown Bombay, India, and landed south in Panchale. The previous record of had been set by Per Lindstrand on June 6, 1988 in Plano, Texas.
international
On November 26, 2005, Vijaypat Singhania set the world altitude record for highest hot-air-balloon flight, reaching .
2005
On November 26, 2005, Vijaypat Singhania set the world altitude record for highest hot-air-balloon flight, reaching . 
In November
On November 26, 2005, Vijaypat Singhania set the world altitude record for highest hot-air-balloon flight, reaching
Bombay
 He launched from downtown Bombay, India
Panchale
He launched from downtown Bombay, India, and landed south in Panchale. 
Per Lindstrand
 The previous record of had been set by Per Lindstrand on June 6, 1988 in Plano, Texas.
1988
The previous record of had been set by Per Lindstrand on June 6, 1988 in Plano, Texas.
Plano
 The previous record of had been set by Per Lindstrand on June 6, 1988 in Plano, Texas.
FAI
Some, but not all of the records were certified by the non-profit international aviation organization, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). One reason for a lack of 'official' certification was that the flight occurred prior to the creation of the FAI. 
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). 
Altitude
For clarity, the "Fixed-wing aircraft" table is sorted by FAI-designated categories as determined by whether the record-creating aircraft left the ground by its own power (category "Altitude"),
Altitude gain
or whether it was first carried aloft by a carrier-aircraft prior to its record setting event (category "Altitude gain
employment of FAI-certified observers
An essential requirement for the creation of an "official" altitude record is the employment of FAI-certified observers present during the record-setting flight. Thus several records noted are unofficial due to the lack of such observers. 
No
Thus several records noted are unofficial due to the lack of such observers. 
No
This listing of flight altitude records are the records set for the highest aeronautical flights conducted in the atmosphere, set since the age of ballooning. 
the airframe is one
. Other sub-categories describe the airframe, and more importantly, the powerplant type (since rocket-powered aircraft can have greater altitude abilities than those with air-breathing engines). 
the powerplant type
 the powerplant type (since rocket-powered aircraft can have greater altitude abilities than those with air-breathing engines)
No
Some, but not all of the records were certified by the non-profit international aviation organization, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). One reason for a lack of 'official' certification was that the flight occurred prior to the creation of the FAI. 
the flight occurred prior to the creation of the FAI
One reason for a lack of 'official' certification was that the flight occurred prior to the creation of the FAI