Air Facts

APRIL 21, 2025

It was already on the ground, even though the airplane was pointing down. The landscape dropping away under us lifting off runway 28 at Trigger Gap (17A) was another unforgettable view. And as if that wasn’t enough, the takeoff run was much longer than anticipated. This disconcerting experience was another new one in the logbook!

Density Altitude

Plane and Pilot

JULY 18, 2025

He had just lifted off from Santa Fe Regional Airport (KSAF) in New Mexico into a beautiful July morning. Pilot: “Five One Charlie, I’m gonna get some altitude…All right. The pilot made no more transmissions, clearly focused on flying the airplane straight ahead. This was not a dilettante caught flying too much airplane.

Density Altitude

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

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

While most equate this to improved landing distances, the flaps are particularly effective at reducing the takeoff distance by creating more lift. Known for being smooth and nearly bulletproof, its only significant drawback is the lack of power, most noticeable when flying in higher density altitudes and at higher weights.

Density Altitude

Flying Magazine

MAY 10, 2024

2: What effect does high density altitude have on the efficiency of a UA propeller? Density altitude does not affect propeller efficiency. 1: When operating an unmanned airplane, the remote pilot should consider that the load factor on the wings may be increased any time that the: A. Example question No.

Weight-Shift-Control

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

A few years ago, I got the bug to fly small airplanes again. We fly our new-to-us Piper to Florida often (the airplane could probably find Orlando on its own), and we agreed it was time for something more adventurous. Our Aircraft Our family’s airplane is a 1976 Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six.

Density Altitude

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 20, 2025

Writing about airplanes for a living has its advantages, and a ride with the Titan Aerobatic Team is certainly one of them. As I donned my parachute and tightened my WWII-era seat belt, I had flashbacks to a 16-year-old me, sitting on the grass under the Wisconsin sun, staring in amazement at airplanes I couldn’t even name at the time.

Airplanes

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

But, as you near the runway, the airplane starts to float. Your wings don’t create as much drag as they would at higher altitudes, which gives you extra lift. Key Takeaways Ground effect increases an aircraft’s lift and decreases drag. You feel in control. It’s not magic—it’s ground effect.

Ground Effect

Learn to Fly

JULY 11, 2024

An airplane will, however, always stall at the same angle of attack, called the critical angle of attack. This happens regardless of weight, bank angle, temperature, density altitude, or center of gravity. Additionally, these devices can give a visual rendering of the energy management state of the airplane.

Airfoil

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. Airplanes with higher wing loading may need power all the way until the flare.

Weight-Shift-Control

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

The airplane’s engine, propeller, and wings, which have struggled all summer against the ravages of high temperatures and density altitude, are now in their happy place. The first step is heating the important parts of the airplane. It helps to prepare for these delays and make a reasonable plan for the entire day.

Ceiling

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

The airplane’s engine, propeller, and wings, which have struggled all summer against the ravages of high temperatures and density altitude, are now in their happy place. The first step is heating the important parts of the airplane. It helps to prepare for these delays and make a reasonable plan for the entire day.

Ceiling

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

The many analyses and videos on these topics have been done in what can best be described as laboratory conditions, carefully selected optimum conditions of pilot, airplane, and environment. An incomplete summary description of FASF is whether the airplane made it out of ground effect.

General Aviation

Plane and Pilot

JULY 2, 2024

And the operating environment presents its own limitations on our activity, quite aside from the skills of the pilot and innate performance of the airplane. And the finest example of a Cirrus SR22 is not going to want to lift a full load out of a backcountry strip on a warm afternoon with a density altitude reading five digits.

Density Altitude

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 15, 2024

As part of your preflight preparation, you should always consult the POH/AFM performance charts to determine the airplane performance is acceptable for a safe takeoff and climb for the conditions and location. But remember high density altitude reduces performance and therefore increases takeoff rolls, and degrades climb performance.

Density Altitude

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

Reducing the flaps all at once will result in a large loss of lift, which can cause the aircraft to settle on the runway or stall. Effects of atmospheric conditions on a go-around, such as winds and density altitude. Once a positive rate is established, reduce the flaps from 20 degrees to takeoff flaps (10 degrees).

Wind Shear

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

This is a hard one to gain insight from other than this: Some atmospheric events are bigger than our plastic airplanes. He only needed a glide ratio of 14:1 to reach the airfield to arrive at a typical pattern altitude of 1,000 ft AGL. 65 kts IAS given the high density altitude.

Pilot

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Since then, the team has advanced the airplane into a kit, one made out of carbon fiber and incorporating more than 1400 hours of the prototype’s operation. But now they are, and as no other Experimental—or certified airplane for that matter—can do what the Gweduck can, it’s time to take a good look at the program.

Airplanes