03/06/2023
What happens when you think your service ceiling is 12000’ but it’s actually much much lower.
The NTSB says an experimental airplane departed from an 8000’ elevation runway on an unusually hot day. The airplane was unable to establish a positive rate of climb sufficient enough to clear nearby trees. It stalled and entered a spin while turning back to the airport. The pilot was fatally injured in the crash.
Takeaway: warm weather has arrived and the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook says pilots should know their aircraft service ceiling and understand that this service ceiling seriously degrades as temperatures rise above 59F/15C. The Climb Performance section in your POH will provide the ‘adjusted service ceiling’ for various temperatures above standard conditions.
Determine the adjusted service ceiling from your climb performance table. This is imperative when departing from high and/or hot runways. Remember that your aircraft could be on the cusp of a stall when you fly in these conditions. Your life depends on it.
Fly safe friends ✈️
