Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

Flying in the clouds in a single engine airplane when the OAT is below freezing is not a good idea! Upon level off at 4,000, I was relieved to note the OAT gauge was showing +3 degrees C. I glanced at the OAT gauge in the upper left corner of the windshield and noticed a balmy +5 degrees Centigrade. We were free!

VOR 52

VOR Weather Approach Runway 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2025

These include lift, propeller thrust, and engine combustion. This actually decreases the engine’s efficiency in converting engine power into thrust. Reduced thrust means decreased aircraft performance and fuel efficiency. Jet engines also experience reduced thrust in less dense air.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Pilot True Airspeed Lift 52

AeroSavvy

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021

Static Air Temperature (SAT) – This is the temperature of the undisturbed air around the aircraft; also referred to as outside air temperature (OAT). Engine thrust setting values and auto throttles require data from the TAT probe. There are a couple types of temperature that pilots (and aircraft) use.

True Airspeed 52

True Airspeed OAT UTC Thrust 52

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

More air molecules in engine cylinders allow the engine to produce more power; more air molecules moving across the propellor blades and wings means more efficient thrust and lift. After takeoff, the SID directs the pilot to fly south to the OATES intersection near Sedona, AZ. We did both!

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude OAT Airplanes Fixed Base Operator 52