Density altitude is higher than standard in which scenario?

• A. 15°C at 7,000 ft PA
• B. -18°C at 9,000 ft PA
• C. 4°C at 5,500 ft PA
• D. -9°C at 3,000 ft PA

Answer: (A)

Density altitude rises when the air is warmer than standard for the same pressure altitude, because warmer air is less dense. At 7,000 feet pressure altitude, the standard ISA temperature is about 1°C. The actual temperature is 15°C, which is roughly 14°C warmer than ISA, making the air significantly less dense. That decrease in density pushes the density altitude above the standard level. The other scenarios are either cooler than ISA or exactly ISA, which would yield density altitudes at or below the standard, not higher.