What is the standard temperature at 5,000 feet above sea level?

The standard temperature at 5,000 feet above sea level is commonly understood to be 5 degrees Celsius. This is based on the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) model, which establishes a baseline for temperature, pressure, and density at various altitudes.

According to the ISA, temperature decreases with altitude at a rate of approximately 6.5 degrees Celsius for every kilometer (or about 3.57 degrees Celsius for every 1,000 feet) in the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere. At sea level, the standard temperature is set at 15 degrees Celsius. Therefore, as you ascend to 5,000 feet (which is about 1.5 kilometers), a temperature drop is calculated.

Starting at 15 degrees Celsius and subtracting the approximate decrease over 5,000 feet leads us to a standard temperature of approximately 5 degrees Celsius at that altitude. This knowledge is crucial for flight engineers and pilots as it affects aircraft performance, engine efficiency, and overall aerodynamics during flight operations.