Nice piece on density altitude in the April 2012 issue of Flight Training (“Technique: Calculating Density Altitude”). One other method we use for calculating density altitude is by formula: density altitude = pressure altitude + (120 x degrees above/below standard temperature).
For example, on a given day: Temperature at CYCG is 31 degrees C and the altimeter setting is 28.86. Airport elevation is 1,624 feet. Pressure altitude equals standard minus the station times 1,000; pressure altitude at a given station = (standard - station) x 1,000 + station altitude; pressure altitude = 1.06 x 1,000 = 1,060 feet; pressure altitude at CYCG = 1,060 + 1624 = 2,684 feet; standard temperature at a given station = 15 - (1.98 x station altitude/1,000); standard temperature at CYCG = 15 - (1.98 x 1.624) = 12 C; difference in temperature for our example day = 31 - 12 = 19 deg C (19 deg C above standard); density altitude = 2,684 + (120 x 19) = 4,964 feet. Thus, we would expect fairly poor performance on this particular day; the aircraft is operating as if it were flying at almost 5,000 feet.
Alex Burton
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
What Ian J. Twombly wrote in the April 2012 issue on was on the money (“Right Seat: Dual Personalities”). If not addressed properly, what he said could be one of the main reasons why student pilots quit. Instructors need to know that not all students are the same. Instructors need to know that teaching is a very sensitive matter. And everyone involved in the flight training experience needs to know that if instructing is not their calling, they should just enjoy their own flying and try to make a living out of something different. Please, let’s stop throwing the dreams of thousands down the drain.
Martín Lozano
San Rafael, California
I just read Craig Fuller’s article “President’s Perspective: And the Winner Is...” in the April 2012 issue and had to respond. I am one of the 20-percent minority who actually started and finished flight training. But my story is also unique—I am female, and at the age of 58 I did all my training, from zero hours to checkride, in the RV-9A that my husband built. I have never flown a Cessna trainer. I had a fabulous instructor in Brian Moentenich, in Aurora, Oregon. He was very much a part of my success.
My story could serve as a valuable incentive to all aspiring pilots, especially those who are older and/or female, who just don’t believe it is in the realm of possibilities in our lives that we can accomplish something like flying. I never thought I would ever be able to live my dream.
I am 60 years old today, actively flying our RV-9A. I might not have 500 or 1,000 hours of flight time, and may never build that much time since I was a rather late bloomer, but by flying every chance I can I am building that time, hour by hour, and becoming the best aviator possible. I can become a little discouraged because the stories always seem to involve pilots who have thousands upon thousands of hours and have flown for many, many years. Their lives and stories seem so exciting, and people like me may think we are way too ordinary to ever accomplish the things they do. But here I am, just an ordinary woman living an ordinary life, flying and having the time of my life—just adding one hour upon the next. You have to just start.
Marsha Mason
West Linn, Oregon
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