In this activity, you will focus on the concept of density altitude and its application to the performance of aircraft.
We have already explored the dependence of air density on pressure, temperature, and humidity. Density altitude is a specific parameter used in aviation to indicate how the air’s density affects aircraft performance.
Review the following resources on density altitude and its effects on flying:
Hot, High, and Heavy-The Deadly Cocktail of Density Altitude (PDF) (Links to an external site.) – article from NOAA
, explaining density altitude and why a combination of specific words starting with the letter “H” is bad when it comes to flying! (Note: the bad link to the “handy calculator online” in the article is a known error)
Don’t Be Dense About Density Altitude (Plane and Pilot) (Links to an external site.)
Density Altitude (Mountain Flying) (Links to an external site.)
Density Altitude (PDF) (Federal Aviation Administration)
Finally, read the Forbes Magazine article, The Science Of Why It’s Too Hot For Some Planes To Fly In The Southwest U.S. (Links to an external site.)
After reviewing the information on density altitude, you should understand the importance of air density on the ability of an aircraft to achieve flight and maneuver, and how high density altitude flying conditions – which are typically present on an otherwise “perfect” weather day – are an “invisible” flight hazard that pilots must be aware of during flight planning.
Now, synthesize and apply the information you reviewed on the concept of density altitude to address the following:
Using terms that an average person could easily understand and by applying related concepts and terms, present a practical definition of density altitude.
Fill in the blank: If the value of density altitude is relatively high, the air density is relatively _______.
Of the four main forces acting on aircraft, name the ones that are reduced by high density altitude flying conditions.
Of the four main forces acting on aircraft, name the one that can be altered, in the process of proper flight planning, to reduce the impact of high density altitude flying conditions.
Explain why a combination of high, hot, and humid conditions creates high density altitude flying conditions. Your explanation should involve a discussion of how air temperature, pressure, humidity affect air density and thus the density altitude.
Apply your understanding of density altitude to answer the following scenario-based question:
A general aviation pilot in training is scheduled to do repeated touch and go’s (landing and taking off again without coming to a full stop) in a Cessna 172 at Bob Adams Field in Steamboat Springs, Colorado (elevation 6882 feet) on a mid-afternoon in early August. Explain why the aircraft’s ability to take off, land, and climb during the touch and go’s will be negatively impacted. Include an image within your document that visualizes the explanation.
Submission Instructions
Formulate your answers within a document. DO NOT include the question statements.
