what are influence of air conditions on piston engine power?

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I would like to know what are influence of air conditions on
airplanes piston engine power?

-- mehran hassan nezhad chabboky, August 1, 2006

Answers

On a normally aspirated, (ie, non-turbo-charged) engine as temperature increases the potential power from the engine decreases. This is because as temperature increases air density decreases. Also, as the altitude increases, the power again decreases. To counter these effects some engines are turbocharged and thus able to maintain atmospheric conditions within the engine as the airplane or temperature climbs. Conversely, cold weather and low altitude allow the engine to generate more power since the air is more dense.

-- Bradrick Pretzer, August 4, 2006