Density Altitude Ground Effect Pilot 
Plane and Pilot
JULY 10, 2025
A pilot friend and I decided to fly my 1976 Cardinal over to Sedona Airport (KZEZ) for a late lunch. 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. More on that later.
Plane and Pilot
JULY 1, 2025
The pilot said he refueled the airplane the day before the accident and checked the fuel level during his preflight inspection the following morning. The pilot made a forced landing in the ocean just offshore of the beach, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The calculated density altitude was 4,790 feet.
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Pilot Institute
OCTOBER 2, 2024
It’s not magic—it’s ground effect. When you’re flying near the ground, within one wingspan, the aerodynamic forces start to change. Your wings don’t create as much drag as they would at higher altitudes, which gives you extra lift. Ground effect is a phenomenon that every pilot must master.
Flight Training Central
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
What is ground effect? What effect does high density altitude have on aircraft performance? Ground effect is most likely to result in which problem? What true airspeed should a pilot expect at 9,000 feet on a standard day with 65 percent maximum continuous power? It reduces climb performance.
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. Was this a power loss after takeoff, whether or not the pilot chose to fly an impossible turn? Would a visual AOA indicator have helped?
Chess In the Air
JUNE 24, 2022
About 90% of accidents could have been prevented by the pilot. Most can be avoided by diligent pre-flight preparations; by paying attention to what’s happening around us; by staying disciplined and flying within one’s margins; and by avoiding basic piloting mistakes through regular practice.
Plane and Pilot
OCTOBER 3, 2024
When spelled geoduck it represents a grotesque, oversized mollusk, or clam to we pilot simpletons. Much depends on the aircraft’s weight, pilot skill and, surprisingly, “how much abuse you want to experience. Checking the oil is the main attraction to the pilot. The airplane will handle more than you want to.”
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