How to Use This Simulator
Density Altitude (DA) is the altitude at which your aircraft performs based on air density. It's critical for flight planning!
- Set Indicated Altitude: This is what your altimeter reads with the current QNH set (runway elevation or cruise altitude)
- Set QNH: The altimeter setting from the METAR/ATIS, used to correct for non-standard pressure
- Set Outside Air Temperature (OAT): The actual air temperature
- Watch the calculation: The simulator derives Pressure Altitude, then Density Altitude, in real-time
- See the impact: Performance degradation is shown with percentages and warnings
- Try scenarios: See how "Hot & High" affects different airports
Key Formulas:
Pressure Altitude = Indicated Altitude + (1013 − QNH) × 30
Density Altitude = Pressure Altitude + (120 × Temperature Deviation)
For every hPa below 1013, pressure altitude increases by 30 ft. For every °C hotter than standard, density altitude increases by 120 ft!
Pressure Altitude = Indicated Altitude + (1013 − QNH) × 30
Density Altitude = Pressure Altitude + (120 × Temperature Deviation)
For every hPa below 1013, pressure altitude increases by 30 ft. For every °C hotter than standard, density altitude increases by 120 ft!
Altitude Comparison
Pressure Altitude
5,000 ft
Density Altitude
5,000 ft
Difference
0 ft
Risk Level
LOW
Simulator Controls
Indicated Altitude5,000 ft
What your altimeter reads with the current QNH set
QNH1013 hPa
Current altimeter setting, from the METAR or ATIS
Pressure Altitude5,000 ft
Derived: indicated altitude corrected to standard pressure (1013 hPa)
Outside Air Temp (OAT)15°C
Actual air temperature at that altitude
ISA Temperature15°C
Standard atmosphere temperature (reference)
Temperature Deviation+0°C
Difference from standard (each °C = 120 ft DA penalty)
✓ Safe Operating Conditions
Quick Scenarios
Performance Impact Analysis
| Performance Metric | Impact | Your Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Takeoff Distance Runway length needed | Increases with DA | +0% |
| Climb Rate Feet per minute | Decreases with DA | +0% |
| Landing Distance Runway needed | Increases with DA | +0% |
| Engine Power Available horsepower | Decreases with DA | +0% |
| Max Altitude Ceiling | Decreases with DA | +0% |
Interpretation Guide
| Density Altitude Range | Risk Level | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0 - 3,000 ft | ✓ SAFE | Normal operations |
| 3,000 - 6,000 ft | ⚠ CAUTION | Monitor performance, use longer runway |
| 6,000 - 9,000 ft | ⚠ WARNING | Significantly degraded performance |
| Above 9,000 ft | ✗ DANGER | Consider delaying or rerouting |