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Why Phoenix's Airplanes Can't Take Off in Extreme Heat
Phoenix just provided another reason to hate flying: the heat. With temperatures there expected to hit 119 degrees Fahrenheit, airlines canceled more than 40 flights today. Wait. What? Airplanes can't fly because it's too hot? That's crazy. No, not really. According to news reports, the heat poses a particular problem for the Bombardier CRJ airliners, which have a maximum operating temperature of 118 degrees. Bigger planes from Airbus and Boeing can handle 126 degrees or so. (www.wired.com) Plus d'info...
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Just easier to say aircraft takeoff performance is based on Weight, airport Altitude and current Temperature. If the temp chart only goes to ISA + 35 or maxes out at 118F, in the case of the Aircraft at PHX..."at 119F. or higher you don't fly because you nothing to input! If you are lucky and your performance charts go up to 50C, you go, but better hope the lasy guy was easy on the brakes coming in?
The hotter it gets, the poorer the aircraft's performance (any aircraft). The airline can compensate by reducing the passenger/baggage load, but sooner or later this would result in them losing money on the flight. But eventually you reach the hard limit (certification envelope limit being referred to by Highflyer). That is a total showstopper, even with an empty airplane cabin.
