![]() ![]() Still, if humid conditions exist, it would be wise to add 10% to your takeoff distance and expect a slightly reduced rate of climb. High humidity is not necessarily an indication of high-density altitude. Humidity generally reduces engine performance more than aerodynamic efficiency. Humidity does not drastically affect density altitude, but it is a consideration.The hotter the air, the less dense it is, reducing aircraft performance.At higher altitudes, air density is lower, which reduces aircraft performance.Three main factors affect density altitude: ![]() With this in mind, the “density” in “ density altitude” begins to make a lot more sense – “ density” refers to air density. This is due to reduced aerodynamic performance (i.e., the wings provide less lift) and reduced engine output (i.e., less horsepower). Air that is less dense (lower density) causes a decrease in aircraft performance. Put simply, higher density altitude = lower performance.Īir density is a critical factor affecting aircraft performance. This revelation begs the question – what performance metric does density altitude describe, and why is it important? Why is Density Altitude Important? In other words, density altitude is used to describe the performance of the aircraft, similar to airspeed or rate of climb. While other types of altitude describe a particular position of the aircraft or indication of an instrument (e.g., true altitude and indicated altitude), density altitude is a performance metric. Density Altitude is not a physical Altitude I can hear you moaning in frustration I promise it will all make sense. While the formal definition of density altitude is undoubtedly correct (density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature), it fails to clarify that density altitude is unique because it is not a type of altitude in the traditional sense. True altitude: the height above Mean Sea Level (MSL).Absolute altitude: the height Above Ground Level (AGL).Density Altitude: pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature.Pressure Altitude: the indicated altitude of the altimeter when it is set to 29.92.Indicated altitude: the altitude read on the altimeter (regardless of altimeter setting).To fundamentally understand density altitude, you need to understand the five types of altitude used in aviation: The higher the temperature, the higher the density altitude, and the worse the aircraft performs.Ĭonfused? No worries, let’s explain. In other words, density altitude is the “effective pressure altitude” the aircraft “feels” for a given temperature. What is Density Altitude?ĭensity altitude is pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. Why is density altitude critical to ensuring safety, what factors affect it, and how is it calculated? Today is the day that the mystery of density altitude is solved. Calculating density altitude is like filing your taxes – annoying and often neglected until the last minute, but crucially important. ![]()
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