Of all the skills that go by the wayside after the check ride, determining aircraft performance is right up there next to 'obtaining a weather briefing' and 'weight and balance.' [iStock]
Key Takeaways:
Thoroughly calculate aircraft performance, including density altitude, weight and balance, and takeoff/climb performance, for every flight, as these critical skills often diminish post-checkride.
Actively manage aircraft weight, such as adjusting fuel load, to compensate for reduced performance in challenging conditions like high temperatures and humidity.
Protect pilot performance by staying hydrated, utilizing cooling strategies (e.g., frozen T-shirts, water bottles), and scheduling flights during cooler times to mitigate the degrading effects of heat and humidity.
It was a hot day when the rather frazzled-looking young man came into the FBO with the dispatch book of the Cessna 150.
He complained there was something wrong with the airplane. The engine wasn’t producing enough power. He had attempted two takeoffs and wisely chose to abort, as it did not lift off when he expected.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
