Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2025

Key Takeaways Air density affects aircraft performance, including lift, engine power, and propeller effectiveness. Factors influencing air density include altitude, temperature, pressure, and humidity. High-density altitude reduces aircraft performance, requiring flight adjustments.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Pilot True Airspeed Lift 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

The brothers believed that their lift was coming from smoke, which they could clearly see rising in the air. In letters to an English scientist, Sir Joseph Banks, dated December 1, 1783 and January 16, 1784, he described the balloon, and attributed the lift to “air rarified by heat”.

Lift 98

Lift Density Altitude AGL Pilot 98

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

I spent a few months researching aircraft performance and high altitude airport flying techniques. Density Altitude Piston engines, wings, and propellers lose efficiency as they climb to less dense air at higher altitudes. As altitude increases, air molecules spread out, resulting in less power and lift.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude OAT Airplanes Fixed Base Operator 52

ABEAM

JULY 5, 2024

We flew very high, and the heat (ISA +23°C) that further drove up our Density Altitude did not help for the oxygen saturation in our blood. Finally they vectored us again onto the localiser and we received a very late landing clearance from Kuwait Tower about 2 miles out. And then we droned on from VOR to VOR over the desert.

VOR 52

VOR Density Altitude Approach Final Approach 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Temperature An increase in temperature will increase the density altitude. A high density altitude decreases the performance of the engine and the wing. Your aircraft will fly at a faster true airspeed at higher density altitudes. This can greatly impact landing performance and obstacle clearance.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

The airfoil is a Harry Riblett shape, giving modernized flow separation on the leading edge for a soft stall yet with good lift and drag performance. It was 87° F, a density altitude of 7300 feet and we ended up with four people, 120 gallons plus baggage, and we got off in 2400 feet with naturally aspirated engines.

Airplanes 78

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 78