Lake Tahoe

Density altitude

Get the poster for your airport

High altitude, high temperature, and high humidity create less dense or thinner air that contributes to high density altitude and impacts aircraft and engine performance.

The AOPA Air Safety Institute has developed a density altitude poster to modify and use as a quick tool for knowing the density altitude values at your airport on a standard day. It’s a great reminder for you and other pilots of local conditions affecting density altitude and aircraft performance.

airsafetyinstitute.org/DAPoster

Take an aerial tour of the lake, hugging the shoreline and monitoring the local common traffic advisory frequencies for other traffic. Then fly farther afield across the state lines, and watch the terrain change from alpine to desert with the California pines on one side and the dry lake beds of Nevada on the other. You’ll see in just an hou

r or so of engine time how diverse the area can be. There are several airport options.

Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TRK)

5,904 feet mslIf you want to visit the glitzy California mountain town of Truckee, this is the place for you. The airport sees aircraft from big iron jets to seaplanes and everything in between, and its on-field restaurant, Red Truck, is well above average. Keep in mind the density altitude at this and all the surrounding fields.

Lake Tahoe Airport (TVL)

6,268 feet msl Fly to the site of one of Top Gun: Maverick’s filming locations! This conveniently located field is perfect for those wishing to stay near the ski resorts in South Lake Tahoe.

Reno-Stead Airport (RTS)

5,050 feet mslReno is less than an hour drive away from Lake Tahoe and may provide superior convenience or weather for your visit. Rental cars are readily available and the drive to the lake is beautiful. And you can check out the biggest little city in the world!

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