What happens to the density altitude as temperature increases?

As temperature increases, the density altitude increases. This relationship can be understood through the concept of air density and how it is affected by temperature.

Density altitude is defined as the height in the atmosphere where the air density is equivalent to a certain standard temperature. When the temperature rises, the air expands, leading to a decrease in air density. A higher temperature means that for a given pressure, the air is less dense. Since density altitude is a function of both pressure and temperature, an increase in temperature at a constant pressure results in a higher density altitude.

This increased density altitude can significantly impact aircraft performance, as lower air density can affect lift, engine efficiency, and fuel performance. Consequently, pilots need to be aware of how variations in temperature can influence density altitude when planning their flights.