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!

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.

"What is density altitude?"

That was a fun watch.

One can not appreciate density altitude without a tree line.

Us sea level pilots have it easy for sure.

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.

Combining DA with the variable effects of different snow conditions keeps things interesting for the mountain ski pilot too 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.

.

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

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!

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".

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

Tunnel Meadows. Yes it was very popular but closed. I believe there is an effort to reopen it.

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