Density Altitude

[Ian Caldwell]

With the extremely hot temperatures in the US west, I noticed Phoenix was
116 F, is density altitude affecting any airports / flight?

[RWM]

Post by Ian Caldwell
With the extremely hot temperatures in the US west, I noticed Phoenix
was 116 F, is density altitude affecting any airports / flight?

Density altitude is real, especially for General Aviation aircraft, but
the temperature component has only a marginal effect on high bypass
turbofan performance. The greater problem is some Aircraft Operating
Manuals do not have performance data for ambient temperatures this high.

In the early 1990's, the AOM for a certain narrowbody in widespread use
did not have data for temperatures above 115 (or may have been 110)
degrees which caused a certain Phoenix-based operator of these aircraft
to have to suspend operations of this type until temps cooled below the
top of the charted data. Operator immediately requested and
manufacturer soon provided data supplements up to 120 degrees....

- RWM

[Matthew Montano]

Very much so.

I was traveling through in Phoenix Sunday afternoon and numerous long-
range CRJ900 flights were begging for pax to be volunteers as the
flight were over-booked. I knew full-well it was the heat.

A couple of PHX-Missouri flights went out similarly light.

My PHX-MEM CRJ900 Mesa flight went out with about 15 empty seats.

Matthew

Post by Ian Caldwell
With the extremely hot temperatures in the US west, I noticed
Phoenix was
116 F, is density altitude affecting any airports / flight?

[RWM]

I suspect those ACL limits were due to the need for extra fuel due to WX
at destination, rather than departure airport temps. Those trips are at
or near the practical range for the airplane, anyway.

- RWM

Post by Matthew Montano
Very much so.
I was traveling through in Phoenix Sunday afternoon and numerous long-
range CRJ900 flights were begging for pax to be volunteers as the
flight were over-booked. I knew full-well it was the heat.
A couple of PHX-Missouri flights went out similarly light.
My PHX-MEM CRJ900 Mesa flight went out with about 15 empty seats.
Matthew

With the extremely hot temperatures in the US west, I noticed Phoenix
was
116 F, is density altitude affecting any airports / flight?