Be Prepared to Deal with the High DA Blues

It's vital for a pilot to know what to expect when the density altitude rises.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 05:03 PM ET

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Many pilots have very little experience with mountain flying, so their familiarity with high density altitude is limited as well. [Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Density altitude (DA), caused by high temperatures, humidity, and/or elevation, significantly degrades aircraft performance by increasing takeoff distance, reducing climb rate, and extending landing rolls.
Pilots must understand, respect, and calculate DA for every flight, as it can rapidly increase and unexpectedly compromise aircraft capabilities.
DA can be determined using an altimeter, E6B flight computer, POH charts, or online calculators, and pilots should always apply conservative performance calculations.
Training for high DA scenarios and making informed safety decisions, such as delaying a flight, are crucial for mitigating risks.

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In the winter, pilots can get themselves in trouble by not recognizing when MVFR degrades into IFR conditions or when it gets so cold that ice forms on an aircraft in flight. In the summer, it’s high temperatures and high humidity that can rob an aircraft of performance. Yes, I am referring to density altitude—throw in a high-elevation field, and you have the trifecta of variables affecting several phases of flight.

Density altitude robs an aircraft of its performance, and if the pilot isn’t aware density altitude is present, they can run out of runway and options at the same time. You shouldn’t necessarily fear density altitude, but you should respect it, and know what to expect from your airplane.