As air temperature increases, what happens to the density altitude?

When air temperature increases, the density of the air decreases, leading to an increase in density altitude. Density altitude is a measure that reflects the relative density of air at a given location and incorporates the effects of temperature and pressure; it is crucial for flight performance calculations.

As temperature rises, the air molecules become more energetic and spread out, which lowers the air’s density. A lower density of air means that for a given altitude, the density altitude increases, reflecting the change in performance characteristics for aircraft. This is particularly important for lighter-than-air vehicles, which rely on buoyancy; as density altitude increases, the effectiveness of lift generated by these vehicles may be reduced. Understanding these concepts is vital for flight planning and ensuring safe operation under varying atmospheric conditions.