For his entry to The Hackaday Prize, [Neil McNeight] is building an automated density altitude calculator to automate the process entirely.

Normally density altitude is computed through a slide rule or a flight computer, with the pilot entering in altitude and temperature, but somehow accidents still happen.

Density altitude is not a height reference; it is an index to aircraft performance. Low-density altitude increases performance. High-density altitude decreases performance.

Is there a plug and chug way to do it if I know my barometric pressure, temp, and altitude? I need to get it everyday before I have a flying lesson. I hate using that round slide-rule flight ...