Density Altitude...

[PA31Ho]

If given a preference, what would you rather takeoff from: a high elevation airport or a sea level airport with a very high temperature?

Obviously it has to do with which gives the aircraft worse performance. So I guess the question is really, which one is worse on aircraft performance?

 

[GasPasser]

High pressure altitude generally hurts you more than high temps because many jet engines are flat rated to produce the same amt. of thrust across a temp. range at a given pressure altitude.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

High altitude airport. High temps are more restrictive when it comes to takeoff.

Most high altitude airports are of sufficient length due to the very nature of it being situated there. high temps will more likely induce a no-go due to the performance limitations you'll encounter in this environment.

 

[152SIC]

high temp airport.

 

[DieselDash]

Density altitude dosen't effect a sea level airport as drasticly as a high altitude airport. A 90 degree day at sea level is around 2100 ft Density altitude... (oh no big deal) A 90 degree day at a 7,000 foot airport equals over 10,700 feet density altitude (this is a big number for anything from a 152 to a 737) plus you need to figure the reduced engine power available for take off, the increased runway length needed, and the single engine climb performance (if any) left at this altitude. Plus most high elevation airports have mountainous terain to deal with and reduced climb gradients. Even at standard ISA temps for the high elevation airport the sea level airport would be much easier to operate out of. High elevation montain airports are a complete different ball game and I know from years of flying in the Rockies and the Grand Canyon. I've seen the tragic results first hand from those who did not carefuly check performance charts on hot days at high elevation airports. The mountains are not a very forgiving enviroment.