Humidity and its effect on aircraft performance.

 

What is humidity? Humidity is defined as the amount of moisture or water vapor in the air and is expressed as a percentage of the maximum amount of water the air can hold. Humidity is important to aircraft performance because of its direct effect on air density. This effect can cause a reduction in takeoff speed which could result in the aircraft needing to have longer runways to reach the required speed necessary for takeoff or to maintain level flight at a specific speed. High humidity at higher altitudes can also cause ice buildup on the aircraft surfaces due to the amount of moisture present at that altitude. Aircraft performance decreases in high humidity conditions. It affects engine performance by making less air available to the engine for combustion due to its negative effects on air density. High humidity equals decreased air density; decreased air density means that the volume of air passing over the wings will be less and the result of that is a reduction in aircraft performance.


To minimize or counter the effect of high humidity aircrafts must be flown at higher speeds for any given angle of attack than when the humidity is low. This will generate the necessary airflow required for lift. Humidity can also be made a factor in the calculation of density altitude. Use longer runways, this will help to achieve the higher speed required for takeoff. Reduce gross weight if possible. There’s not much we can do about humidity, but we can use the data to help us achieve the best engine performance on any given day and get us where we need to be safely.

 

 


 Aircraft performance and limitations. (2017). ERAU Special VFR.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zls5KPl0Jw&t=400s

Density Altitude – the triple H effect. (2018). Air Safety Institute.

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yFIRHvoy4k

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (2016). Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK).

Retrieved 17 July 2022

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/


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