Summertime: High heat, low power and the right flight tactics

Summer has finally arrived. But that also means one or two dangers for pilots on summer flights. The higher the temperatures rise, the greater the loss of performance of combustion engines. With the forecast temperatures of 30 degrees and above, thorough flight preparation, taking into account the so-called “high density altitude”, is all the more important.

Less power, lower climb performance
When taking off with a Piper Archer PA-28-181 at an airfield on the Central Plateau at 30°C, for example, the distance to take-off is extended by around 100 meters – in contrast to the situation at standard temperatures (12°C at 1500ft) – and the flight from 50ft altitude does not even take place until 150 meters later. If the same calculation is made with the Density Altitude Calculator on a mountain airfield, the additional altitude meters have a much more obvious effect and represent a great danger if not known. All pilots learn during their training that a take-off distance calculation is part of serious flight preparation. In addition to the significant increase in take-off distance at a high density altitude, the rate of climb also decreases massively. Poor climb performance must be anticipated, especially when flying over aviation obstacles or mountain ranges.

Correct flight tactics in the mountains
With knowledge of this problem, serious flight preparation and correct flight tactics, safe flights can be carried out even on hot summer days on the Central Plateau and in the mountains, thus greatly minimizing the risk of misjudging the performance of the aircraft. However, correct flight tactics in the mountains are no less important:

• Never fly into a valley unless you are already at least 1000 feet above the pass behind you at the entrance to the valley (more likely 2000 feet in windy conditions).
• Do not fly in the middle of the valley, but on one side or the other, so that you always have enough space for a possible turn. As a rule, this will be the right-hand side of the valley, unless there are downwinds; beware of oncoming traffic on your side of the valley!
• Always cross the pass at a 45 degree angle from the side so that you can easily turn back into the open valley if you can’t go any further. Keep an eye on the variometer and altimeter as you approach the pass. If your altitude suddenly decreases, then it is the right time to turn back and make another attempt.

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We wish you many happy and safe summer flights!

Showcases density altitude

Große Dichtehöhe, schwachmotorisierte Maschine: Absturz einer Cessna F 150 M in Saanen, Schweiz – fliegermagazin

Mangelnde Flugvorbereitung: Cessna 177B Cardinal stürzt in Wohnhaus (fliegermagazin.de)