Air Facts
MAY 5, 2025
This particular 172 normally cruised at 120 mph indicated airspeed, but with the ice it would barely do 90 mph and that required full throttle! Flying in the clouds in a single engine airplane when the OAT is below freezing is not a good idea! Up we went, trading airspeed for altitude. What had happened? We were free!
Pilot Institute
MARCH 26, 2025
Density Altitude = Pressure Altitude + [120 x (OAT – Standard Temperature)] For example, the temperature at a pressure altitude of 5,000ft is 7C. Note: OAT and ISA Standard Temperature should be in degrees Celsius. This increased true airspeed, along with other factors increases takeoff and landing distances.
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