Density Altitude, Ground Effect and Indicated Airspeed

Let’s Play it Safe

Plane and Pilot

JULY 10, 2025

The Cardinal and I were fairly new to the area, but I respected its performance limitations and was careful to account for the elevation and temperature and the density altitude it would surely bring. So, what was a pilot new to the high and hot world of density altitude flying to do? More on that later. It all adds up.

Density Altitude

Density Altitude Indicated Airspeed Ground Effect Runway

What NTSB Reports Say About Impossible Turns and Angle of Attack

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

An incomplete summary description of FASF is whether the airplane made it out of ground effect. That phenomenon is best named Failure to Achieve Sustained Flight (FASF).

General Aviation

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes

Invisible Trap Kills Glider Pilot – How To Avoid Microbursts

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. At this point his ground speed was 81 kts, which – in still air – would reflect a normal pattern speed of approx.

Pilot

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway

Aviator Connection

Let’s Play it Safe

What NTSB Reports Say About Impossible Turns and Angle of Attack

Invisible Trap Kills Glider Pilot – How To Avoid Microbursts

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