Mountain flying is rewarding, challenging, and spectacular. But high density altitude—an inherent hazard in high terrain—can significantly degrade aircraft performance. A likely surprising encounter with high density altitude in deceptively upsloping terrain left no escape for these pilots as they ultimately faced the canyon trapping them.
Handling High Density Altitude
High terrain, high-elevation airports, and hot weather spell high-density altitude (thin air), which dramatically diminishes airplane performance causing longer takeoff rolls and landing distances and significantly reduces climb rates. Best time to fly? Early morning and early evening (during daylight hours) in cooler outside temperatures.
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