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Performance and weight and balanceQuestion 859 of 934

An airplane takes off from a high-elevation airport. How do its lift-off IAS and TAS compare with those at sea level?

  1. The IAS is greater and the TAS is the same
  2. The IAS is the same and the TAS is greater
  3. Both the IAS and the TAS are less
  4. Both the IAS and the TAS are the same
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Correct answer: The IAS is the same and the TAS is greater

The airplane needs the same dynamic pressure, so the IAS is the same. The air is less dense, so the TAS is greater.

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance — Takeoff Performance, page 272

Practice performance and weight and balance

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026