Density Altitude Effects Explained
Spring is here and with it higher ambient temperatures will become more common. Although density altitude is not a common subject for ‘hangar flying’ discussions, pilots need to understand this topic. Density altitude has a significant (and inescapable) influence on aircraft and engine performance, so a pilot needs to thoroughly understand its effects. Hot, high, and humid weather conditions can cause a routine takeoff or landing to become an accident in less time than it takes to tell about it.
Remember the higher the temperature and the more humidity, the less dense the Air becomes.
This reduces:
• Lift (because the thin air exerts less force on the airfoils)
• Thrust (because a propeller is less efficient in thin air)
• Power (because the engine takes in less air)
And therefore increases the length of runway required for normal take off. (refer Kock Chart)
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