When is high density altitude a good thing?

[Flyingmau5]

Any examples of where a high density altitude is a benefit to us as pilots?

I can think of VMC being decreased. Anything else?

 

[Roger Roger]

Higher TAS for the same IAS.

 

[Maurus]

Lower fuel consumption

 

[Mike H]

Any examples of where a high density altitude is a benefit to us as pilots?

... when you really wanted to stay on the ground anyway

 

[rframe]

When you wanted to sweat, but didn't want to actually workout?

 

[LV-ARG]

Better nm/gal ratio

 

[Blackhawk]

When you want to show a pilot what it is like to operate with minimal performance. Nothing like operating. Cessna 140 in the high desert during the summer for this. You can not perform a steep 360 turn while maintaining altitude.

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

Any examples of where a high density altitude is a benefit to us as pilots?

I can think of VMC being decreased. ?

It's been a long day. I don't understand what that means.

 

[Immelman]

Better gas mileage.

 

[TwoTwoLeft]

It's been a long day. I don't understand what that means.

To keep things simple, I think he means Vmc....

 

[squeezemylemon]

TAS increase of 1% per each 600ft

if you read 100kts at 6000ft, your TAS is 110kts.
still you have to climb higher, more fuel used and low speed during climb!

 

[crazyjaydawg]

I'm guessing you only want to know about piston engines and therefore Vmc, TAS and fuel burn are the only things I can think of.

Jets on the other hand...

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

TAS increase of 1% per each 600ft!

Assuming the decrease in power and airfoil efficiency doesn't keep you from reaching that IAS.

 

[Mike H]

Assuming the decrease in power and airfoil efficiency doesn't keep you from reaching that IAS.

Only after a certain point. In the DA-40, for instance, at 65% power, you get a TAS of 130 kts at 6000 ft density altitude, approx 132 KTAS at 9000 ft density altitude, and then only 130 ktas again at 10000 ft density altitude. At the same power setting, you only get about 122 KTAS at 2000 ft density altitude

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

Only after a certain point. In the DA-40, for instance, at 65% power, you get a TAS of 130 kts at 6000 ft density altitude, approx 132 KTAS at 9000 ft density altitude, and then only 130 ktas again at 10000 ft density altitude. At the same power setting, you only get about 122 KTAS at 2000 ft density altitude

True enough.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

When you want to show a pilot what it is like to operate with minimal performance. Nothing like operating. Cessna 140 in the high desert during the summer for this. You can not perform a steep 360 turn while maintaining altitude.

Rather eye-opening demonstrations of just what "balanced field length" really means.

Having made a takeoff (in a light twin that, while on the high end of the SE performance spectrum, but not required to demonstrate ANY single engine climb performance ever) around 10,000' DA before, I can say that it's eye opening. Teaches you to really respect it.