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Backcountry Pilot • "What is Density Altitude"

"What is Density Altitude"

Links to general aviation backcountry flying-oriented videos. It can be yours or stuff you find on the internet. Please no airline/military.
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"What is Density Altitude"

I came across this great video produced by the Federal Aviation Agency a handful of years ago about density altitude. Since you guys do some crazy flying, I bet you guys know all about DA but for newer pilots like myself who browse here, DA can be a silent killer.


Watch till the end, that 180 driver has the best line in the film!
Last edited by pilotryan on Wed Apr 12, 2017 10:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
pilotryan offline
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Re: "Whats Density Altitude"

I watched that today. It's a hoot! Guy learned his lesson in one day and is espousing the gospel to the 180 guy in the end :)

I'd have totally had a lot of "I told you so" moments if that was me.
Chris In Marshfield offline
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Re: "Whats Density Altitude"

"What is density altitude?"

That was a fun watch.
albravo offline
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Re: "What is Density Altitude"

One can not appreciate density altitude without a tree line.

Us sea level pilots have it easy for sure.
Bagarre offline
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Re: "What is Density Altitude"

I understand your tree line comment - been there done that - BUT

A hot afternoon at Windyschmucca Nv. can truly give one a wake up call
[or good lesson] with nothing more than sage grass growing taller and taller
as the once far end of the runway comes rushing up to you.
One of the better places to really learn and FEEL the effects of DA.
wannabe offline
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Re: "What is Density Altitude"

Combining DA with the variable effects of different snow conditions keeps things interesting for the mountain ski pilot too :shock: No real surprise there, but I recently had a reminder of that while at 8900'. No problem really just a subtle reminder, but I can sure see how a sea level pilot could really get bit in the ass when in the mountains. For us who live and fly higher due to where we live, it sure is fun to get down to the coast every now and then, hard to believe the performance increase! Good vid.
courierguy offline
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Re: "What is Density Altitude"

.
Last edited by glacier on Wed Feb 03, 2021 6:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: "What is Density Altitude"

A Density Altitude problem CAN occur near sea level.

Know a Lady who rented out her very clean: Taylor L-2B Grasshopper or
Piper L-3B Grasshopper to a couple of young yahoos who flew it from
Palo Alto over to the long gone Antioch airport.

Standard take off into the wind had a slight uphill slope. Usually no problem.
Two good sized fellas - ~108f. [as I recall] in the late afternoon.
They just kept going till it ran off the end and went through
a three strand barbed wire fence, ending up, down side up.

Be safe out there

Chris C
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Re: "What is Density Altitude"

DA here during the warmer months is 10K + on the ground.... with my mods mine runs real good, but it's hard to have too much power up here! Good video btw.

That and there are bugs.... the extreme DA and Bugs... and brutal thunderstorms too... but at least it gets green out...CO mountain flying sure is beautiful and fun though!
GravityKnight offline
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Re: "What is Density Altitude"

pilotryan wrote:....Watch till the end, that 180 driver has the best line in the film!


I'm disappointed, I was hoping it'd be "Density altitude? Skywagon pilots don't have to worry about density altitude".
hotrod180 offline
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Re: "What is Density Altitude"

You Cal / Nevada guys, is (or was) the strip south of Mt Whitney ("xxx Meadows"?) near the end of the movie a real strip?
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Re: "What is Density Altitude"

Tunnel Meadows. Yes it was very popular but closed. I believe there is an effort to reopen it.
propeller26 offline
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Re: "What is Density Altitude"

Was a real one
Last I heard some of the LSA planes could still get in (not legally)
Heard some years ago that the Forest Service tore it up a bit so no one other than them could enjoy it. Typical behavior as I have seen first hand elsewhere.
They want everyone out but them.

Minor hyperbole but only minor.
Almost a quote from McCall Head office historian who told me that regarding airplanes in the backcountry. Asked him how come you only go to your
field research by plane. He turned red, I decided on a strategic retreat as I already had one of the rare prints in my hand that are supposed to be readily available to the public.


Chris C
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