Heat keeps planes on the ground

Warm air is thinner than cold air, so the temperature is very important for whether a plane can take off safely.

Heat on the runway can force planes to remain on the ground or turn back and find another airport to land in. An aircraft is designed to function in extreme cold. During an ordinary flight, the temperature outside the cabin can easily fall to minus 40 degrees. A plane is able to take off and land at temperatures of down to minus 67 degrees, but heat quickly causes problems. Warm air is thinner than cold air, providing less lift during take-off and landing. At temperatures of 40+ degrees, pilots could be forced to make the aircraft lighter by leaving cargo or passengers behind. In June 2013, 15 passengers were asked to leave a plane in London City Airport due to high temperatures.

A wing produces lift by forcing air down. Consequently, the wing produces less lift in thin air. Heat reduces lift In warm weather, the engines are supplied with less oxygen, igniting less fuel and producing less force. Engines produce less force

At a temperature of 45 degrees, the density is only 1.110 kg/m3, corresponding to an altitude of 1,100 m. Heat makes air thin

At sea level and a temperature of 20 degrees, air has a density of 1.204 kg/m3. Cold makes air dense