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Old 9th July 2013 | 09:55
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hin0727
 
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: hongkong
How does altitude affect the aircraft performance?

Hi
Sorry for this stupid question... but this really bothers me a lot
So to start with, as altitude increases(let say pressure altitude),the air density decreases, and so as the drag(parasite drag), so the aircraft will have its maximum aerodynamic performance at its service attitude....
But I have just read a book, which says high attitude decreases the aircraft performance...I guess its because of the lower air density that deceases the amount of airflow pushing rearward, resulting in the decease of thrust and hence aircraft performance?!?!

So after all, do high altitude decrease or increase in the aircraft performance?!
thanks!
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