What you will learn
- Calculate density altitude and understand its impact on every phase of flight.
- Perform weight and balance calculations to verify CG is within limits.
- Determine takeoff and landing distances for various field conditions.
- Optimize cruise altitude, power setting, and fuel planning for cross-country flights.
- Read and interpolate POH performance charts accurately.
Topics covered
Density Altitude
Pressure altitude, temperature deviation, density altitude calculation, effects on performance, and Koch chart usage.
Weight & Balance
Empty weight, useful load, moment calculations, CG limits, loading graphs, and weight shift problems.
Takeoff Performance
Takeoff distance charts, headwind/tailwind factors, runway surface and slope, obstacle clearance, and short-field techniques.
Landing Performance
Landing distance charts, approach speed corrections, wet runway factors, short-field and soft-field considerations.
Climb Performance
Rate of climb, angle of climb, Vy and Vx, service ceiling, single-engine climb (multi), and climb gradient.
Cruise Performance
Power settings, true airspeed, fuel flow, range vs. endurance, altitude optimization, and leaning techniques.
POH Performance Charts
How to read and interpolate POH performance tables and graphs for your specific aircraft type.
High Altitude Performance
Turbocharging benefits, service ceiling considerations, power loss at altitude, and high-density-altitude operations.
Prerequisites
- •Basic math skills (multiplication, division, interpolation).
- •Familiarity with standard atmosphere concepts is helpful.
- •Access to a POH or sample performance charts recommended.