Meteorology I

Density Altitude Experiment Worksheet

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Per the activity instructions, complete the worksheet below. By the end of Module 3, submit
your completed experiment worksheet to both Module 3 Density Altitude Training Activity
and to your group discussion area.

Hypothesis
The elevation at Phoenix, AZ above sea level is 1,135 which mean the air density will have an
impact on the aircraft performance, but not to a certain level witch it cannot be operated safely.
In Denver, CO the density will be higher and thus requiring the aircraft to utilize more power to
be operated safely. In Leadville, CO the elevation is significant higher at 9,927. In this aspect
we can definably say that as altitude above MSL is significant the thinner the air will be therefore
requiring the most amount of power for the aircraft to be safely operated. The higher above MSL
the more density meaning the lest lift an aircraft will have due to thinner air. It all depends on
different types of aircraft, different operating altitudes, and different power output.

Data
Table 1

Airport Location: Phoenix, AZ Airport Elevation (feet above Mean Sea Level): 1,135
Sea Level Station Temperature Dew Point Density
Pressure* Pressure* (°F) Temperature Altitude
(in. Hg) (in. Hg) (°F) (feet)

29.92 28.71 60 30 1562

29.92 28.71 120 30 5207.4
29.92 28.71 60 60 1720.5
29.62 28.42 60 30 1905.4
29.62 28.42 120 60 5697.8

Table 2

Airport Location: Denver, CO Airport Elevation (feet above Mean Sea Level): 5,430
Sea Level Station Temperature Dew Point Density
Pressure* Pressure* (°F) Temperature Altitude
(in. Hg) (in. Hg) (°F) (feet)

29.92 24.49 60 30 6847.8

29.92 24.49 95 30 8953.2

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 Sea Level Station Temperature Dew Point Density
Pressure* Pressure* (°F) Temperature Altitude
(in. Hg) (in. Hg) (°F) (feet)

29.92 24.49 60 60 6847.8

29.62 24.25 60 30 7168.8
29.62 24.25 95 60 9447.1

Table 3

Airport Location: Leadville, CO Airport Elevation (feet above Mean Sea Level): 9,927
Sea Level Station Temperature Dew Point Density
Pressure* Pressure* (°F) Temperature Altitude
(in. Hg) (in. Hg) (°F) (feet)

29.92 20.63 60 30 12335

29.92 20.63 90 30 14078
29.92 20.63 60 60 12539.4
29.62 20.42 60 30 12655.5
29.62 20.42 90 60 14597.6

Conclusions
[type your discussion for prompts 1-5 in the appropriate location below]

1. Evaluate the correctness of your hypothesis based on the experiment results.

The overall hypothesis was not fully correct as I thought. Not because of higher elevations,

but as you can see the density altitude is sometimes lower at Leadville, CO than Phoenix,

AZ.

2. After making a rough comparison of the “average” (ball-park) density altitude value for each airport,
explain why station elevation has the greatest impact on the value of the density altitude.

The density altitude has different impact of each place due to different Station pressure

combine with station pressure, and Dew Point.

3. Analyze the data for each airport/station elevation separately to determine which factor – station
pressure, temperature, or dew point temperature - has the MOST affect on density altitude. Provide
some justification for your answer.

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 It will be Air Temperature because as air temperature changes it dramatically changes

density altitude. As we can determine from the data, as air temperature increases, density

increases, but as air temp decreases density decreases.

4. Analyze the data for each airport/station elevation separately to determine which factor – station
pressure, temperature, or dew point temperature - has the LEAST effect on density altitude. Provide
some justification for your answer.

It will be Elevation because it has the least effect of density altitude changes.

5. Make the appropriate choices below (High OR Low) to create the combination of factors that
creates the highest value of density altitude:

o High/Low station elevation

o High/Low temperature
o High/Low dew point temperature

Out of these factors the ones that has the most effect on Density is Hight Temperature and High
dew point.

6. Then, develop a sentence that summarizes the conditions that create a high density
altitude situation.

Although elevation has an effect on density altitude is by far the least out of dew point and

temperature. In increase in humidity will have an increase effect of density altitude because the

warmer the air is the thinner it becomes.

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