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

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2025

These include lift, propeller thrust, and engine combustion. 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.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Pilot True Airspeed Lift 52

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

More air molecules in engine cylinders allow the engine to produce more power; more air molecules moving across the propellor blades and wings means more efficient thrust and lift. It’s technically an IFR procedure, but can be used by any pilot to assure clearance from obstacles.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude OAT Airplanes Fixed Base Operator 52