- Altitude Testing Data
Altitude vs. Pressure, Temperature and Density
This table gives density in slugs per cubic foot because it uses the American system of altitude in feet, pressure in inches of mercury and temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. While people often use pounds per cubic foot as a measure of density in the U.S., pounds are really a measure of force, not mass. Slugs are the correct measure of mass. You can multiply slugs by 32.2 for a rough value in pounds.
Pressure is given in inches Hg Absolute. Subtract inches HgA from 29.92 for gauge readings (in. HgV).
Altitude Pressure Temperature Density
(ft) (in. HgA) (Fahrenheit) (slugs per cubic foot)
0 29.92 59.0 0.002378
1,000 28.86 55.4 0.002309
2,000 27.82 51.9 0.002242
3,000 26.82 48.3 0.002176
4,000 25.84 44.7 0.002112
5,000 24.89 41.2 0.002049
6,000 23.98 37.6 0.001988
7,000 23.09 34.0 0.001928
8,000 22.22 30.5 0.001869
9,000 21.38 26.9 0.001812
10,000 20.57 23.3 0.001756
11,000 19.79 19.8 0.001701
12,000 19.02 16.2 0.001648
13,000 18.29 12.6 0.001596
14,000 17.57 9.1 0.001545
15,000 16.88 5.5 0.001496
16,000 16.21 1.9 0.001448
17,000 15.56 -1.6 0.001401
18,000 14.94 -5.2 0.001355
19,000 14.33 -8.8 0.001310
20,000 13.74 -12.3 0.001267
25,000 11.10 -30.15
30,000 8.89 -47.98
35,000 7.04 -68.72
40,000 5.54 -69.70
45,000 4.35 -69.70
50,000 3.43 -69.70
55,000 2.69 -69.70
60,000 2.12 -69.70
65,000 1.67 -69.70
70,000 1.31 -69.70
75,000 1.03 -69.70
80,000 0.81 -69.70
85,000 0.64 -64.80
90,000 0.50 -56.57
95,000 0.40 -48.34
100,000 0.32 -40.11
Source: Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators
Note: This is a summary table. For a more detailed table or a table in metric units, consult an aerodynamics textbook. Many weather textbooks also have the tables.
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