Flight Operations
- Review Aerodynamics & Airplane Systems
- 1.1Explain the four forces which act on an airplane in flight
- 1.2Explain the angle of attack- Commercial Pilot-Aerodynamics and Performance
- 1.3Explain the basics of Aerodynamics
- 1.4Explain drag
- 1.5Explain thrust, stability, and center of gravity
- 1.6Explain weight and balance
- 1.7Demonstrate knowledge of aircraft components
- Pressure, Temperature & Density
- Weather
- 3.1Identify and explain the structure of the earth’s layers of the atmosphere, and become knowledgeable of the history of the study of meteorology
- 3.2Describe atmospheric conditions using appropriate weather terminology
- 3.3Demonstrate an understanding of frontal systems
- 3.4Demonstrate an understanding of wind speed, temperature, pressure & dew point
- 3.5Employ meteorological terminology and coding procedures
- 3.6Identify air masses and monitor daily weather phenomena
- 3.7Demonstrate an understanding of synoptic weather structure
- Weather Forecasting
- Weather Hazards
- Weather Tools
- IFR
- IFR
- IFR Navigation
Pressure, Temperature & Density
Understanding Pressure in Aviation
Force applied over an area.
Pressure is a fundamental concept in aviation. It is defined as the force exerted per unit area, and in the context of aviation, it often refers to atmospheric pressure. The standard unit of pressure in the International System of Units (SI) is the pascal (Pa), but in aviation, pressure is often measured in inches of mercury (inHg) or millibars (mb).
Atmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere above a given point. It is important to note that atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude. This is because the density of the air, and therefore its weight, decreases as we move higher in the atmosphere. At sea level, the average atmospheric pressure is approximately 1013.25 mb or 29.92 inHg. This value is known as standard sea-level pressure.
The change in atmospheric pressure with altitude has significant implications for aircraft performance. As an aircraft climbs, the decreasing atmospheric pressure means that there is less air for the aircraft's wings to interact with. This reduces the lift generated by the wings, which is why aircraft must travel faster at higher altitudes to generate the same amount of lift as at lower altitudes. Similarly, the engines of an aircraft are less efficient at higher altitudes due to the lower air pressure.
In aviation, the pressure altimeter is a crucial instrument that uses atmospheric pressure to determine an aircraft's altitude. The altimeter measures the pressure of the surrounding air and compares it to a pre-set value (usually the standard sea-level pressure). The difference between the measured pressure and the pre-set value is used to calculate the aircraft's altitude above sea level.
In conclusion, understanding pressure is vital in aviation. It affects everything from aircraft performance to the readings on various flight instruments. As such, a good grasp of the concept of pressure and its effects is essential for anyone involved in aircraft operations.