The Operating Environment and Aircraft Performance

Density Altitude... What does it mean and why is it important?

During my career there has been nothing more important when completing performance planning than Density Altitude (DA).  The age old saying "high, hot, and heavy" means a lot to me.  I have flown into airports at sea level, as well as the highest airport in the United States which is Leadville, Colorado (9934ft) and I can say that the stick and rudder skills are completely different when taking off as well as the approach to land.  

Me in Leadville, 2013

When taking off at a high DA, meaning density altitude is reduced, your aircraft will have decreased performance as the air is less dense, which in turn takes more to compress the air and produce thrust  (Federal Aviation Administration, 2008).  Takeoff distance, power available, rate of climb, and roll distance are all decreased at a high DA (Federal Aviation Administration, 2008).  

I've always been of the mindset to ensure you know where you're going, check Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS), ensure you check runway length, ensure you always know the basics of where you're going and what you're flying.  Complacency is what makes people make mistakes and could easily lead to an aircraft mishap.



References:

Federal Aviation Administration. (2008). Density Altitude. FAA–P–8740–2 • AFS–8 (2008)

https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/library/documents/2011/Aug/56396/FAA%20P-8740-02%20DensityAltitude[hi-res]%20branded.pdf

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