What is ambient temperature?

• A. The temperature inside the cabin.
• B. The surface temperature of the wings.
• C. The outside air temperature at sea level.
• D. The temperature in the area immediately surrounding the aircraft.

Answer: (D)

Ambient temperature is the temperature of the air surrounding the aircraft in its current environment. It is not the temperature inside the cabin, nor the temperature of the wing surfaces, and it isn’t a fixed value at sea level. It varies with altitude and weather and is measured by outside air temperature sensors in the air around the airplane. This value is important because it affects air density and engine/airframe performance. So the correct description is the temperature in the area immediately surrounding the aircraft.