Density altitude is a measure of air density. It is the altitude where the air density under ICAO Standard Atmosphere conditions is equal to the actual density. On hot days, the density altitude is above the pressure altitude, on cold days it is below. Density altitude is an important factor for aircraft performance modelling.
Questions tagged [density-altitude]
52 questions
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How do I calculate density altitude by hand?
I've seen the following equation for calculating density altitude on a dozen websites:
[ (OAT - ISA) * 120 ] + Pressure Altitude.
But it was never very clear what the units of measurement are supposed to be.
Question 1: Are OAT and ISA in…
zoombini
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What is the background of the maximum altitude formula?
This question What determines the maximum altitude a plane can reach? has a formula at Peter Kämpf's answer :
$$\rho_{min} = \frac{2\cdot m\cdot g}{(Mach^2 \cdot c_L)_{max}\cdot a^2\cdot S}$$
Does anybody know what's the name of the formula or who…
Samer AlKasaji
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How is the Density Altitude performance penalty split between propeller and engine?
Let's say we have a Cessna 150 with a Continental O-240.
How is the density altitude performance hit split between the engine air intake and the propeller ability to "grab" the air.
Let's say I was able to put a engine on it that would not be…
Annerajb
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How does density altitude affect performance, temperature, and pressure; and how is it calculated?
I'm trying to better understand density altitude. If the density altitude at Rand Airport (for example) is 8300 ft:
What does the 8300 ft mean? Does it mean that at that altitude, aircraft performance will be at its lowest?
What does the 8300 ft…
Lungelo
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How does the less dense air affect the reciprocating aircraft engine performance?
How does the less dense air can affect the reciprocating engine performance ? For an example " rotax engine "
ELMARROUSH
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