3
$\begingroup$

I came across the following question while studying for the FAA PPL written test:

Determine the density altitude for these conditions:

Altimeter setting: 30.35
Runway temperature: +25°F
Airport elevation: 3,894 ft. MSL

I performed the following steps:

Temperature (°C) $\color{red}{= 5/9 × 25} = 14 $

Pressure altitude (PA) $= 3,894 + (29.92-30.35) × 930 = 3494 $

Density altitude (DA) $= \text{PA} + 120(14 - 15 + .002×\text{PA}) = 4200 $

Yet that answer is not listed, and according to the DA/PA graph provided, DA is 2000ft.

My final formula seems to be correct according to Wikipedia, plus it also matches my intuition of how PA works: According to the question we have 14°C at 4000ft, as opposed to the expected 7°C at 4000ft; seeing as temperature is higher, DA should be higher than PA.

Where am I going wrong?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ Why are you using 930 instead of 1,000 in you calculation of Pressure altitude? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_altitude. Also, where did the second PA term in the DA formula come from? Not something I use. You might want to check out flyingmag.com/technique/tip-week/… $\endgroup$
    – JScarry
    Commented Jul 23, 2017 at 23:56
  • $\begingroup$ @JScarry: 930ft/inHg is the correct factor at about 29.92 — 28.92 inHg; for higher altitudes it increases; thank you for bringing that to my attention, I'll probably use 1000 from now on. The $.002×\text{PA}$ is to correct for lapse rate. $\endgroup$
    – Zaz
    Commented Jul 24, 2017 at 1:37

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5
$\begingroup$

Check your temperature conversion: 25F is -3.9C...

Should be (25-32)*(5/9).

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ Yep, I suspected I'd goofed up with something as stupid as a conversion error. I'd answered several questions about change of density altitude with change of temperature, where you can forget the $-32$, and am embarrassed to say I went and did the same thing here. $\endgroup$
    – Zaz
    Commented Jul 21, 2017 at 2:24
  • $\begingroup$ I'm studying for the commercial and CFI exams - there are plenty of ways to mess up! Happy to help. $\endgroup$
    – sjdunham
    Commented Jul 21, 2017 at 18:24

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .