Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2025

Key Takeaways Air density affects aircraft performance, including lift, engine power, and propeller effectiveness. Factors influencing air density include altitude, temperature, pressure, and humidity. High-density altitude reduces aircraft performance, requiring flight adjustments. What Is Air Density?

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Pilot True Airspeed Lift 52

Air Facts

OCTOBER 18, 2024

Density altitude at CBE was over 3,000’ and, with airport elevation at 775′ and the mountain straight ahead, I decided to go missed and fly to the alternate of MRB (Martinsburg, West Virginia).

Approach 52

Approach Density Altitude Runway Airplanes 52

Northstar VFR

JULY 28, 2023

Altitude (without sounding like Captain Obvious) might just be the most important thing to a pilot. As an inexperienced, aspiring pilot, you’ve surely heard the saying that “the least important thing in aviation is the runway behind you, the fuel left in the truck and altitude above you”. But, altitude is all the same, right?

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Altimeter True Altitude Weather 52

Plane and Pilot

MAY 3, 2025

At least the Cherokee gave the pilot a better view of the runway from the patternno wing in the wayand lacked the high-wing Cessnas pitch change with flap deployment. There were 23 runway loss of control (RLOC) events. We found six runway overrun accidents. I got 17 years of service out of a prop they said was unairworthy.

Approach 73

Approach Airplanes Stability Weight-Shift-Control 73

Air Facts

MAY 24, 2024

We started up the engine, got the weather, asked the tower for our instrument flight plan, and began to taxi from the T-hangars on the east side of the field down the familiar route of “Hotel, Echo” to runway 18 right for a departure to the north with a turn to the east. Destin Tower told me to expect a right base for a landing on Runway 12.

Aileron 98

Aileron Crosswind Knot Runway 98

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

I spent a few months researching aircraft performance and high altitude airport flying techniques. Density Altitude Piston engines, wings, and propellers lose efficiency as they climb to less dense air at higher altitudes. Pressure altitudes were converted to density altitude.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude OAT Airplanes Fixed Base Operator 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 10, 2024

2: What effect does high density altitude have on the efficiency of a UA propeller? Density altitude does not affect propeller efficiency. Airport operations: Prospective pilots must show their understanding of traffic patterns used by manned aircraft pilots, runway markings and signage, and the sources for airport data.

Weight-Shift-Control 116

Weight-Shift-Control Air Traffic Control Aeronautical Decision-Making Density Altitude 116

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

It shows the helicopter flying normally, aligned to the runway, and then begin a gentle climb. The pilot told the airport tower controller that he may need the runway. The controller asked the pilot to report when two miles out and to expect runway 28. It rotated several times before crashing into the grass north of runway 28.

Torque 98

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 98

Gary's Flight Journal

OCTOBER 25, 2023

Density altitude was -1,800 feet. I did give the firewall and gear a once over after taking a peek at the runway for miscellaneous parts that may have been left behind. I saddled up and followed a Cessna Cardinal to the runway for departure. I roll for take off at 7:45 sunrise was 7:16.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Firewall Runway Approach 52

ABEAM

JULY 5, 2024

After the necessary paperwork issues, we took off from runway 34R at Hurghada and got cleared to the right over the Red Sea. We flew very high, and the heat (ISA +23°C) that further drove up our Density Altitude did not help for the oxygen saturation in our blood. I was happy to have been able to make some coffee for myself.

VOR 52

VOR Density Altitude Approach Final Approach 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Not only must you fly unnervingly slow, but you also have to pick a spot on the runway and hit it. It’s a runway that is too short for a normal takeoff or landing but still usable with certain precautions. This allows them to safely operate into and out of these tight runways. You’re not alone.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Density Altitude Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

I knew we were right-side up, but…two seconds later, the runway appeared where it should have been, and my pulse slowed to triple digits. Flying to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture took us over high terrain, choosing our fuel stops with density altitude in mind. With this airplane, DA presented a caution, but never really a threat.

Knot 93

Knot Weather Density Altitude True Airspeed 93

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

But, as you near the runway, the airplane starts to float. Your wings don’t create as much drag as they would at higher altitudes, which gives you extra lift. The aircraft will float and try to takeoff too early or float over the runway and delay touchdown while landing. You’re landing. You feel in control. Safe flying!

Ground Effect 52

Ground Effect Drag Lift AGL 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

I knew we were right-side up, but…two seconds later, the runway appeared where it should have been, and my pulse slowed to triple digits. Flying to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture took us over high terrain, choosing our fuel stops with density altitude in mind. With this airplane, DA presented a caution, but never really a threat.

Knot 82

Knot Weather Density Altitude True Airspeed 82

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

Sometimes the wind socks at both ends of the runway point in opposite directions! In still air, the climb rate under full power is likely in the range of 3-5 kts given the high density altitude environment at Rifle. Our energy is comprised of not just airspeed but airspeed and altitude together.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Lift Runway 52

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 27, 2025

Boeing Company Allows Boeing flight crews to calculate takeoff analysis, landing analysis and weight and balance information, correcting for pressure variation, runway conditions, engine bleeds and MEL items. This EFB app also offers traditional in-flight navigation features and digital charts.

Weather 91

Weather Pilot Flight Plan Airplanes 91

Air Facts

AUGUST 5, 2024

Outside of the marine layer that incessantly taunts the coastal areas, back home your experiences with density altitude are minimal. The weather is VMC but it’s hot, and the density altitude is really creeping up there. Next you look at NOTAM’s once again and notice that Runways 8R and 26L are closed. Multiply 1.5

Density Altitude 98

Density Altitude Ceiling Runway Weather 98

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

The airplane’s engine, propeller, and wings, which have struggled all summer against the ravages of high temperatures and density altitude, are now in their happy place. Push the throttle forward for takeoff, and you might as well be in an F-15 Eagle roaring down the runway.

Ceiling 105

Ceiling Airplanes Density Altitude Weather 105

Air Facts

APRIL 21, 2025

Steep grades: Banks Ranch (62AR) has five unique runways. The runway drops away so fast that it’s impossible to tell where it is. The landscape dropping away under us lifting off runway 28 at Trigger Gap (17A) was another unforgettable view. Simple, right? Not really. We experienced a number of unforgettable views.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Tail Runway Crosswind 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

The airplane’s engine, propeller, and wings, which have struggled all summer against the ravages of high temperatures and density altitude, are now in their happy place. Push the throttle forward for takeoff, and you might as well be in an F-15 Eagle roaring down the runway.

Ceiling 98

Ceiling Airplanes Density Altitude Weather 98

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

On downwind, ATC had me at 3,000 feet going over the departure end of the crossing runway. I could see that the spot on the ground in the windshield that was not moving was short of the runway. This meant that I could land normally on the runway, not overshoot, and did not need to be concerned with the airliners on the crossing runway.

General Aviation 98

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes 98

Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

According to the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), a stable approach is defined as one in which the pilot establishes and maintains a constant angle glidepath toward a predetermined point on the landing runway. The GOM also called for the airspeed to be “on target” at such altitudes respectively. The ceiling is 800 ft overcast.

Approach 105

Approach Descent Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) Runway 105

Jetwhine

APRIL 29, 2024

Simply put, if you want to have the safest flight possible, you better refresh and refine your abilities to compute density altitude and apply that information to the latest, most accurate performance data for your aircraft. The really puzzling part is why he didn’t abort his takeoff attempt after rolling halfway down the runway.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Weather Runway Drag 52

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

These include a runway collision, porpoising, bouncing, or possible overrun. ATC can also ask for a go-around if the landing runway is unsafe or for spacing reasons. An approach is stabilized when: The aircraft is on the correct flight path, i.e., on runway centerline and glideslope. Airspeed is not less than 1.3Vso +10/-0.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 15, 2024

But remember high density altitude reduces performance and therefore increases takeoff rolls, and degrades climb performance. All pre-takeoff checklist items should be completed before taxiing onto the runway for departure. Set flaps as appropriate – ensure that flaps come down equally.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Indicated Airspeed Lift Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 2, 2024

Another described the first takeoff attempt by saying the Cessna was “bogging down the runway,” the nose coming up and then back down. The pilot “locked up the brakes and the airplane skidded sideways,” almost going off the end of the runway. Show Low Airport sits at an altitude of 6,415 feet. Pilot and passenger both died.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Density Altitude Runway Pilot 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

I was listening intently to the ASOS for wind or gusts, letting it repeat 5 or 6 times with the exact same report: 9 kts straight down the runway; no gusts. That was the runway we would use to land. It’s worth noting that Shmulik had a close call in the past: a jet pulled onto the runway in front of him with no radio call.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Inflight Pilot Training

MAY 22, 2025

Multiple Runways Flying Cloud features three runways: two parallel east-west runways (10L/28R and 10R/28L) and one north-south (18/36). Hot summer days with thermals and density altitude challenges. Runways are plowed and treated quickly, and hangar access ensures aircraft are protected from the elements.

Runway 52

Runway Weather Pilot Checkride 52