Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

Flying in the clouds in a single engine airplane when the OAT is below freezing is not a good idea! Upon level off at 4,000, I was relieved to note the OAT gauge was showing +3 degrees C. A few minutes later, we heard the center controller clear a Trans Missouri Airlines commuter plane for the VOR Runway 30 approach to Jefferson City.

VOR 52

VOR Weather Approach Runway 52

AeroSavvy

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

Static Air Temperature (SAT) – This is the temperature of the undisturbed air around the aircraft; also referred to as outside air temperature (OAT). Supersonic airliner Concorde experienced total air temperatures (and skin temperatures) as high as 127°C (260°F) on the nose of the aircraft during Mach 2 flight.

True Airspeed 52

True Airspeed OAT UTC Thrust 52

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

Cherokee Six instrument panel Like my airline job, I fly nearly paperless using an iPad Mini and the ForeFlight app for navigation charts. Although not a problem for airliners, flying at high altitude airports presents challenges for pilots of small piston aircraft. Santa Fe is located 6,349 feet above sea level. We did both!

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude OAT Airplanes Fixed Base Operator 52