Hot and High

[ABX]

Hi All,

I have just started ground school and I am trying to find a definition for the term "hot and high".

Two definitions I have come across so far are:

1) Hot temperature, such as outback Australia and high altitude airports, such as mountain strips etc., with each case referring to the less dense air on location and the subsequent effect on aircraft performance, particularly landing and take-off performance. The worst case scenario being a hot airport at a high location.

2) Hot landing (fast landing), and high meaning a high approach.

Which of these is true, or are they both applicable to the term "hot and high", or is there a better definition of the term?

Can anyone help?

Cheers all,

ABX

[flybmi]

The one you'll be looking for regarding ground school is number one. The second one is correct; however, I doubt it will make an appearance in any of your exams - it's almost slang.

[AerocatS2A]

You can tell which meaning from the context.

The aircraft featured flat-rated engines for enhanced hot and high performance.

or,

That dude went around because he was hot and high.

[old,not bold]

No 1 is the one, usually in my experience referring to hot and high airports, eg Tamanrasset in Southern Algeria for the worst I have come across. The crew hotel was an un-airconditioned shack, too.

[ABX]

Thanks indeed one and all.

flybmi, your definition is exactly as I had previously understood it, AerocatS2A, you putting the terms in context is helpful too and old, not bold, you have given me a useful real world example.

All your comments are appreciated.

Cheers,

ABX

[old,not bold]

The net result of Tamanrasset being both hot and high was that on occasions a 44-seat twin T/prop (alright the HP Herald and I'm 100) could only take-off at about 0330, the coolest time, with sector fuel, crew, and 2-3 passengers.

The Herald was always a real dog, though, and it was replaced by Viscounts. The problem was as much the s/e climb out as runway performance, ie a longer runway would not have helped. The Viscount's 4-engines made all the difference.

[Mungo Man]

Worth remembering that a high airport can also be hot, even though you feel cold! Ie, airport is a 8000ft AMSL, but it is 10C, so it is ISA plus 11 and therefore 'hot'

[old,not bold]

For another really interesting hot and high airfield, look no further than an airstrip at the top of the Jebel Akhdar in Oman.

Whe I last saw it, a long time ago, it was a gravel strip at about 7,000ft that went from one side of a small plateau to the other. The plateau was surrounded by very steep cliffs.The Oman Air Force Skyvans, which supplied a garrison on the top, would take off by charging along the strip and falling off the end, going immediately into a dive to pick up speed, rather like a stall recovery manoeuvre, which it was, really.

Passengers would enjoy this immensely.

This was a case where the height of the strip was very useful, when the temperature precluded a more normal take off and climb.

I expect it's been improved now, although I don't quite see how it would be.

[Charlie Hotel Xray]

Number 1 for me ABX

[ABX]

Thanks CHX.

[ABX]

I suspect that Albury has been in ISA conditions or better for a couple of weeks now, the days barely above 12 degrees C...

[Old Smokey]

Albury's not that high (539 Ft AMSL), but if you belong to the school of thought of maintaining Runway Track following engine failure, things are going to become HIGH..... Very quickly! Then, things are going to get HOT in the cockpit as the pilot breaks out in a sweat

(Better to have an EOSID with a left turn out over the Ettamoga Pub)

Is that the meaning of Hot and High? Or did you really mean ABQ - Alberquerque, that's hot and high.

Regards,

Old Smokey

[ABX]

G'day Old Smokey, heehaw, I've been to ABQ and it is hot and high, except very early on a clear morning when it is very cold and high!

You have obviously been to ABX before, were you just flying through? And have you seen the aircraft wreck on display at the Ettamogah Pub?

Cheers

ABX