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Density altitude is BEST defined as
Choices
the altitude shown on the altimeter.
Indicated altitude isn't density altitude.
✓ pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature.correct
the altitude in standard atmosphere where air density equals the air density at the current location. Density altitude = pressure altitude + correction for temperature deviation from ISA. It tells you what the airplane THINKS its altitude is, in performance terms. High DA = thin air = poor performance. A 5,000 ft airport on a hot day can have 8,000 ft DA — climb performance, takeoff distance, and engine output all degrade accordingly.
the altitude above the ground.
AGL altitude is unrelated to density.
the altitude above sea level.
MSL is geometric, not density-corrected.
Why
the altitude in standard atmosphere where air density equals the air density at the current location. Density altitude = pressure altitude + correction for temperature deviation from ISA. It tells you what the airplane THINKS its altitude is, in performance terms. High DA = thin air = poor performance. A 5,000 ft airport on a hot day can have 8,000 ft DA — climb performance, takeoff distance, and engine output all degrade accordingly.
FAA source: PHAK Ch 11, AC 00-6; PHAK Chapter 11 — Aircraft Performancebrowse the reference library →
Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.