Density Altitude

Extra power turns the sleek Mooney airframe into a true speedster.

Turbocharging and a longer wing give this specialized Bonanza an advantage at altitude.

Mountain wave turbulence can be a great teacher that cuts both ways.

Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane offer opportunities to pregame a risky airport landing and departure.

It’s best to crunch the numbers before density altitude crunches you.

Learning how to accurately determine the density altitude is a critical skill that all pilots must master to fly safely. Airplanes simply cannot perform as effectively in low-density air, potentially putting pilots, passengers, and other aircraft at risk. Specifically, a high-density altitude can impact aircraft performance during takeoff and climb. It can also affect the […]

When gusty weather enters the mix, use these tips to climb safely.

Lack of experience rarely leads to the outcome of this Colorado mission.

We all know that as density altitude increases, there is a corresponding decrease in the power delivered by our airplane’s engine and the effectiveness of our propeller. For a typical non-turbocharged light single-engine airplane, this can result in a takeoff roll that’s 25 percent longer for every 1,000 feet of elevation above sea level. The […]