diff --git a/game/dcs/aircrafttype.py b/game/dcs/aircrafttype.py
index e3a9a213..d1edc50f 100644
--- a/game/dcs/aircrafttype.py
+++ b/game/dcs/aircrafttype.py
@@ -180,6 +180,34 @@ class AircraftType(UnitType[Type[FlyingType]]):
     def max_speed(self) -> Speed:
         return kph(self.dcs_unit_type.max_speed)
 
+    @property
+    def preferred_patrol_altitude(self) -> Distance:
+        if self.patrol_altitude:
+            return self.patrol_altitude
+        else:
+            # Estimate based on max speed
+            # Aircaft with max speed 200 kph will prefer patrol at 5000 ft
+            # Aircraft with max speed 2700 kph will prefer pratrol at 33 000 ft
+            altitude_for_lowest_speed = feet(5 * 100)
+            altitude_for_highest_speed = feet(33 * 1000)
+            lowest_speed = kph(200)
+            highest_speed = kph(2700)
+            factor = (self.max_speed - lowest_speed).kph / (
+                highest_speed - lowest_speed
+            ).kph
+            altitude = (
+                altitude_for_lowest_speed
+                + (altitude_for_highest_speed - altitude_for_lowest_speed) * factor
+            )
+            logging.debug(
+                f"Preferred patrol altitude for {self.dcs_unit_type.id}: {altitude.feet}"
+            )
+            rounded_altitude = feet(round(1000 * round(altitude.feet / 1000)))
+            return max(
+                altitude_for_lowest_speed,
+                min(altitude_for_highest_speed, rounded_altitude),
+            )
+
     def alloc_flight_radio(self, radio_registry: RadioRegistry) -> RadioFrequency:
         from gen.radios import ChannelInUseError, kHz
 
diff --git a/gen/flights/flightplan.py b/gen/flights/flightplan.py
index d3559442..463be24d 100644
--- a/gen/flights/flightplan.py
+++ b/gen/flights/flightplan.py
@@ -1116,11 +1116,12 @@ class FlightPlanBuilder:
             raise InvalidObjectiveLocation(flight.flight_type, location)
 
         start_pos, end_pos = self.racetrack_for_objective(location, barcap=True)
-        patrol_alt = meters(
-            random.randint(
-                int(self.doctrine.min_patrol_altitude.meters),
-                int(self.doctrine.max_patrol_altitude.meters),
-            )
+
+        preferred_alt = flight.unit_type.preferred_patrol_altitude
+        randomized_alt = preferred_alt + feet(random.randint(-2, 1) * 1000)
+        patrol_alt = max(
+            self.doctrine.min_patrol_altitude,
+            min(self.doctrine.max_patrol_altitude, randomized_alt),
         )
 
         builder = WaypointBuilder(flight, self.coalition)
@@ -1355,11 +1356,11 @@ class FlightPlanBuilder:
         """
         location = self.package.target
 
-        patrol_alt = meters(
-            random.randint(
-                int(self.doctrine.min_patrol_altitude.meters),
-                int(self.doctrine.max_patrol_altitude.meters),
-            )
+        preferred_alt = flight.unit_type.preferred_patrol_altitude
+        randomized_alt = preferred_alt + feet(random.randint(-2, 1) * 1000)
+        patrol_alt = max(
+            self.doctrine.min_patrol_altitude,
+            min(self.doctrine.max_patrol_altitude, randomized_alt),
         )
 
         # Create points