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  • Chapter 6: Takeoffs and Departure Climbs › Ground Effect on Takeoff

    gain in altitude for a given distance over the ground. It is usually slightly less than VY, which is the greatest gain in altitude per unit of time. The specific speeds to be used for a given airplane are stated ... airplanes, a deviation of 5 knots from the recommended speed may result in a significant reduction in climb performance; therefore, the pilot should maintain precise control of the airspeed to ensure the maneuver is executed safely and successfully…

  • Chapter 10: Performance Maneuvers › Introduction

    Introduction Basic flight maneuvers taught to pilots include: straight-and-level, turns, climbs, and descents. As training advances, other performance maneuvers serve to further develop piloting skills. Performance maneuvers enhance a pilot’s proficiency in flight control application, maneuver planning ... situational awareness, and division of attention. To further that intent, performance maneuver design allows for the application of flight control pressures, attitudes, airspeeds, and orientations that constantly change throughout the maneuver. Deficiencies during execution of performance maneuvers often occur when…

  • Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance › Performance › Climb Performance

    Positive climb performance occurs when an aircraft gains PE by increasing altitude. Two basic factors, or a combination of the two factors, contribute to positive climb performance in most aircraft: 1. The aircraft climbs (gains PE) using excess power above ... that required to maintain level flight, or 2. The aircraft climbs by converting airspeed (KE) to altitude (PE). As an example of factor 1 above, an aircraft with an engine capable of producing 200 horsepower (at a given altitude…

  • Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance › Density Altitude

    Density Altitude The more appropriate term for correlating aerodynamic performance in the nonstandard atmosphere is density altitude—the altitude in the standard atmosphere corresponding to a particular value of air density. Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature ... density of the air increases (lower density altitude), aircraft performance increases. Conversely, as air density decreases (higher density altitude), aircraft performance decreases. A decrease in air density means a high density altitude; an increase in air density means a lower…

  • Chapter 8: Flight Instruments › Types of Altitude

    Indicated altitude—read directly from the altimeter (uncorrected) when it is set to the current altimeter setting. 2. True altitude—the vertical distance of the aircraft above sea level—the actual altitude. It is often expressed as feet above mean ... level (MSL). Airport, terrain, and obstacle elevations on aeronautical charts are true altitudes. 3. Absolute altitude—the vertical distance of an aircraft above the terrain, or above ground level (AGL). 4. Pressure altitude—the altitude indicated when the altimeter setting…

  • Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance › Climb Performance Factors › Range Performance

    NOTE: The straight line that is tangent to the sea level power curve is also tangent to the altitude power curve. The effect of altitude on specific range can also be appreciated from the previous relationships. If a change ... altitude causes identical changes in speed and power required, the proportion of speed to power required would be unchanged. The fact implies that the specific range of a propeller-driven aircraft would be unaffected by altitude. Actually, this is true…