What causes density altitude and how does it affect your airplane?
You can find the answers to these questions and more in a new video from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute.
Here are the main takeaways from the short — just a little over four minutes — video:
• Fly light.
• Determine proper mixture: Advance the throttle; lean mixture until RPMs increases and peaks.
• Fly indicated airspeeds.
• Use long runways.
• Watch airspeed and trends.
• Anticipate quicker deceleration.
A typical Cessna 172 will develop thrust of 500-600 lbs. at sea level. At 8-9,000 ft. it will have lost at least 1/3 of its thrust. The sustaining thrust at Vy is approximately 200 lbs. of thrust.
Departing the higher altitude airport there will be approximately 350-400 lbs. thrust maximum. At lift off there will only be 150-200 lbs. excess thrust for acceleration, climb, or maneuvering!