FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Performance, Weight and BalanceEasy
A pilot is briefed that the density altitude at the departure airport is significantly higher than the field elevation. What does density altitude represent?
- AThe height above sea level shown on the altimeter
- BIndicated altitude corrected for nonstandard pressure only
- CTrue altitude adjusted for wind direction and speed
- DPressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature
Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for temperature deviations from the standard atmosphere. It represents the altitude in the standard atmosphere at which the air density would be equal to the actual air density, and it directly affects aircraft performance.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This describes indicated or true altitude, not density altitude.
- B. This describes pressure altitude alone, without the temperature correction.
- C. Wind is not part of the density altitude calculation.
Density Altitude
Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature; it reflects the air density affecting engine, propeller, and wing performance.
- High temperature increases density altitude
- High density altitude decreases air density
- Affects takeoff, climb, and landing performance
Memory trick: Hot and high means air is thin.