Density altitude, which accounts for temperature and pressure affecting air density, significantly degrades aircraft performance by reducing lift, engine power, and propeller thrust, especially in hot ...

Has density altitude affected your flight plans recently? Do you plan for it when you create those summertime flight plans? I ask because as I write this column Seattle is under a heat advisory.

Humidity significantly reduces available oxygen for normally aspirated engines, thereby decreasing internally generated horsepower and degrading aircraft performance, especially at higher altitudes.