Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

Flying to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture took us over high terrain, choosing our fuel stops with density altitude in mind. One flight, given instructions to cross whichever end of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (KPHX), things just didn’t seem right in the cockpit.

Knot 82

Knot Weather Density Altitude True Airspeed 82

Northstar VFR

JULY 7, 2024

It’s one thing to understand what density altitude is, but it’s another to be able to explain it in a way that a student can understand and apply correctly. Another major part of the CFI ground training is the knowledge area. Flight instructors have to be familiar with all of the knowledge areas and be able to teach them clearly.

Checkride 54

Checkride Density Altitude Pilot Cockpit 54

AeroSavvy

OCTOBER 30, 2021

Paper Chart I have embraced the (nearly) paperless cockpit. Northbound general aviation corridor altitudes are 11,500′ or 13,500′; southbound altitudes are 10,500′ or 12,500′ [as of June, 2021 – check a current chart for changes]. Density altitudes can be high over the canyon in the summer.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude General Aviation AGL Pilot 52

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 27, 2025

Spin-a-Wind This app makes it a breeze to calculate headwind/crosswind components, temperature conversions, pressure/density altitude and true airspeed computations, using a pilot-friendly interface. This app deliversHD radar, route planning, in-flight SiriusXM/ADS-B capability and other advanced weather data to GA pilots.

Weather 91

Weather Pilot Flight Plan Airplanes 91

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

One more gadget in the cockpit cannot remedy deficits in skill, judgement, and attitude. In my own flying career, I’ve seen plenty of small airport pilots unconcerned with safety messages, to put it mildly.

General Aviation 98

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes 98

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 2, 2024

Show Low Airport sits at an altitude of 6,415 feet. I calculated the density altitude that day to be 8,800 feet. He opened the baggage compartment, entered and exited the cockpit several times, walked around the front of the airplane, and stopped in front of each wing.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Density Altitude Runway Pilot 52

Air Facts

APRIL 17, 2024

As pilots, we are taught density altitude; we are taught to fly with the wind and with the direction of flowing water in the mountains; yet we are left to teach ourselves how to account for our own limitations. The cockpit was covered in coffee, debris, and batteries. Don’t waste time. Know your attachments. I had no more fuel.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Pilot Turbulence Lift 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

However, at 5:36:23 he still had an altitude of 7025 ft MSL, i.e. a normally very “safe” pattern altitude of almost 1500 ft, and prudently began to head toward the east end of the runway. 65 kts IAS given the high density altitude. How Does It Feel in the Cockpit When We Encounter A Microburst?

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

It was 87° F, a density altitude of 7300 feet and we ended up with four people, 120 gallons plus baggage, and we got off in 2400 feet with naturally aspirated engines. I’d like the cockpit modernized to make the systems a bit simpler and to group the controls a bit better. So what would I fix?

Airplanes 79

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 79