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! I filed my IFR flight plan, received a clearance and took off into the gray winter sky. Upon level off at 4,000, I was relieved to note the OAT gauge was showing +3 degrees C. The OAT immediately shot up to +5 degrees C.

VOR 52

VOR Weather Approach Runway 52

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

It’s technically an IFR procedure, but can be used by any pilot to assure clearance from obstacles. It’s very similar to the obstacle departure procedure and, like the ODP, guarantees clearance from obstacles. After takeoff, the SID directs the pilot to fly south to the OATES intersection near Sedona, AZ.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude OAT Airplanes Fixed Base Operator 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2025

For example, if we were to takeoff on an airfield at sea level at 0C (32F), it would take 1520ft to reach our obstacle clearance height of 50ft. Whereas for the same airfield on a different day, if it were 30C (86F), that same obstacle clearance height would take 1880ft. That’s an extra 360ft!

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Pilot True Airspeed Lift 52