The highest airport elevation in the contiguous United States is 9,934 feet above mean sea level, found at the Lake County Airport in Leadville, Colorado.
Lake County Airport: America's Highest
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Lake County Airport (also known as Leadville Airport) holds the distinction of being the highest-elevation airport in the United States. Located near Leadville, Colorado, this general aviation airport provides a unique operational environment for pilots due to its significant altitude.
Key Details of Lake County Airport
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Lake County Airport (Leadville Airport) |
| Owner | County Commissioner of Lake County |
| Serves | Leadville, Colorado |
| Elevation AMSL | 9,934 feet (3,026 meters) |
| Coordinates | 39°13′13″N 106°19′00″W |
| Significance | Highest airport in the US |
For more detailed information, you can visit the Lake County Airport (Colorado) Wikipedia page.
Challenges of High-Altitude Aviation
Operating an aircraft at such high elevations presents several challenges for pilots and aircraft:
- Reduced Air Density: At higher altitudes, the air is significantly less dense. This impacts aircraft performance in several ways:
- Decreased Engine Power: Engines produce less thrust due to the reduced amount of oxygen available for combustion.
- Reduced Aerodynamic Lift: Wings generate less lift, requiring higher takeoff and landing speeds, and longer runways.
- Lower True Airspeed (TAS) vs. Indicated Airspeed (IAS): While the indicated airspeed might seem normal, the true airspeed needed for flight is much higher, affecting ground speed and fuel consumption.
- Density Altitude: Pilots must account for "density altitude," which is the pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. On a hot day, the density altitude can be significantly higher than the airport's physical elevation, further reducing aircraft performance.
- Physiological Effects: Pilots and passengers may experience the effects of lower atmospheric pressure and reduced oxygen levels, such as hypoxia, especially during prolonged exposure or strenuous activity.
Due to these factors, pilots flying into or out of Lake County Airport often require specialized training and must carefully calculate aircraft performance to ensure safe operations. This makes high-altitude airports like Leadville valuable training grounds for pilots.
