International Standard Atmosphere

The atmosphere is really only a very thin layer surrounding the earth, considering the
fact that the earth diameter is about 12 750 km and the atmosphere is already so very
thin at 80 km above sea level and space may be considered to be empty of any air
particle beyond that. The US Dept. of Defence would award an astronaut wing to
anyone who has flown beyond 50 miles or 81 km. Most aircraft actually flies at
altitude less than 12 km or so, even though some very high performance spy planes
and UAV can actually fly at an altitude of 65000 feet or about 20 km.
The atmosphere is not a stagnant body of gas and its temperature, density and
pressure distribution as functions of height do vary with time and location.
Nevertheless for design calculation it is necessary that we assume that the atmosphere
is only a function of altitude, independent of location on the surface of the earth and
time. The atmosphere may be considered as consisting of 7 distinct layers of mass of
air and the variation of temperature with altitude is shown below

Temperature vs. Altitude

90 km
79 km
165.66 K
53 km
Altitude, km

47 km, T= 282.66 K
25 km
Stratosphere
11km Troposphere
216.66K
288.16 K
Temperature, degrees K

The Fundamental 7 layers of the Standard Atmosphere to 86 km h1 and h2 are

geopotential altitude in kilometres of the lower and upper boundaries of a layer. The
gradient dT/dH is kelvins per kilometer.

h1(km) h2(km) dT/dh (K/km)

0 11 -6.5
11 20 0.0
20 32 1.0
32 47 2.8
47 51 0.0
51 71 -2.8
71 84.852 -2.0

1
These data along with the sea level standard values of
Sea level temperature = 288.15 K
Sea level pressure = 101325 N/m2
The sea level density of 1.225 kg/m3 is derived from the fundamental quantities
above.

Here we will only consider the first 2 layers of the atmosphere, namely the
troposphere from sea level to 11 km above sea level, and the tropopause from 11 km
to about 25 km.
Within the troposphere the temperature decreases linearly with height above sea level
(altitude), whereas within the tropopause the temperature remains constant, having the
same value as the temperature at an altitude of 11 km, i.e. T = -56.5 0C or 216.65 K.
For ISA atmosphere, the sea level conditions are as follows

Pressure: ps.l  p0 101325 Pa

Temperature: Ts.l  T0 15 0C  288.15K
p p 101325
Density: s.l  0  0  s.l  1.225 kg 3
RT0 RTs.l 287.1x288.15 m

For a “non-standard” atmosphere or modified ISA atmosphere, the model is referred

to as “ISA + x” atmosphere, where x is a numerical value, which can be +10 or –10
etc, depending on the chosen value of x. For “ISA + x” atmosphere, the sea level
conditions are as follows

Pressure: ps.l 101325 Pa

Temperature: Ts.l  (15  x) 0C  (288.15  x) K
p 101325 kg
Density:  s.l  s.l 
RTs.l 287.1x (288.15  x) m3

Example: For ISA + 10 atmospheric model we have

Pressure: ps.l 101325 Pa

Temperature: Ts.l  (15  10) 0C  25 0C or  (288.15  10) K  298.15K
p 101325 kg 1.184 kg
Density: s.l  s.l 
RTs.l 287.1x (288.15  10) m3 m3

At altitude of 1000 m, the ISA temperature is

Temperature: T   288.15  0.0065 x1000   281.65 K

And the pressure and density are
5.256
 281.65 
Pressure: (P/Po)=(T/To)^(g/L.R), so p    x 101325  89874 Pa
 288.15 
p 89874 kg 1.111 kg
Density:  
RT 287.1 x 281.65 m3 m3
At the same altitude of 1000 m, but using ISA + 10 atmospheric model we have

2
Temperature: T    288.15 10   0.0065 x1000   291.65 K
5.256
 281.65 
Pressure: p   x 101325  89874 Pa
 288.15 
p 89874 kg 1.073 kg
Density:  
RT 287.1 x 291.65 m3 m3

At an altitude greater than 11 km, we must use the formula for the tropopause. For
altitude of 11000 m to 25000 m the temperature remains constant, and it has the same
value as the temperature at 11000 m (highest limit of the troposphere). Therefore for
ISA atmospheric model we have within the tropopause

Temperature: T = 288.15 – 0.0065 x 11000 = 216.65 K or - 56.5 0C .

For “non-ISA” atmospheric model, say ISA + 10, we have

Temperature T = (288.15 + 10) – 0.0065 x 11000 = 226.65 K or – 46.5 0C

The pressure must be calculated as follows

p dp g
dp    .g.dh   .g.dh or  .dh
RT11 p RT11
where T11 is the temperature at 11 km altitude. For ISA atmospheric model T11 =
216.65 K. Integrating the above differential equation we get

p  g   9.81 
 exp    h 11000   exp    h 11000 
p11  RT11   287.1 xT11 

Therefore

5.256
 216.65 
p11    x 101325  22631 Pa
 288.15 

At an altitude of h meters:

p  22361 x exp(  0.0001577(h 11000)). Pa

Since pressure is only a function of altitude, therefore the above pressure formula is
also valid for non-standard ISA model or (ISA + x) atmospheric model regardless of
the value of x.

Density must be calculated using the equation of state as follows

For ISA atmospheric model, where T = 216.65 K we have

3
 22361 x exp (  0.0001577 (h 11000))
 0.3595exp   0.0001577  h  11000  
p
 
RT 287.1 x 216.65
For non-standard ISA model we have

22361 x exp (  0.0001577 ( h 11000)) 77.89

  exp   0.0001577.(h 11000) 
287.1 x  216.65  x  216.65  x

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Example Aircraft in Troposphere

ISA sea level conditions are defined as follows:

P0  101325Pa ( ISAsealevel pressure)
T0 15 0C or 288.15 K ( ISAsealevel temperature)
0 1.225 kg / m3 ( ISAsealevel density)
Pressure at any given altitude is simply the weight of the column or cylinder of all air
above that altitude where the area of the cylinder is 1 m 2 .

The differential formula for pressure is dp    g dh

p p
The equation of state for air is  RT or 
 RT
dp g dh
Therefore 
p R T
a) Within the troposphere: 0 < h < 11000 m temperature decreases linearly
with height, with a lapse rate of L = 0.0065 K / m
dT
T  T0  L.h and therefore dh  
L
dp g dT
thus  .
p RL T
This can be integrated easily from sea level to the required altitude within the
troposphere, and the result is

g
5.256
 p   T  RL  T 
    
 p0   T0   T0 

It should be noted that g = 9.81 m and R = 287.1 J

s2 kg.K
Therefore the pressure within the troposphere is given by the following formula

5.256
T 
p  . p0
 T0 

The above result is valid for an ISA atmospheric model, and for this model the density
is given by the following formula

4
 p 5.256 4.256
 RT p T T  T  T 
  . 0   .    
0 p0 p T
0  T0   T0   T0 
RT0

The sea level atmospheric pressure is always close to 101 325 Pa, regardless of
whether it is measured at the equator or near the polar region. However, the yearly
averaged sea level temperature in Alaska may be close to 15 0C but at the equator, say
Singapore or Darwin, it is closer to 30 0C rather than 15 0C .
To account for this situation, a “non-standard” standard atmosphere is defined as the
ISA +X atmospheric model. Atmospheric pressure for this ISA + X model is assumed
to be identical to the ISA pressure distribution, thus is a function of altitude only.
5.256
T 
p    . p0
 T0 
However, the temperature distribution as a function of altitude is given as follows

T  Tsl  L.h where Tsl  T0  X thus T  (T0  X )  L.h

Density for this non-standard model can be calculated using the equation of state as
follows
5.256
p T  p0
   .
RT  T0  R T0  X  L.h 

Examples:

What are the pressure, temperature and density at 5000 m in ISA model?

Answer:

T = 288.15 – 0.0065 x 5000 = 255.65 K or – 17.5 0C

5.256
 255.65 
p   . p0  0.5331x101325  54019 Pa
 288.15 

4.256
 255.65 
   . 0  0.6009 x1.225  0.7361 kg / m3
 288.15 

or alternatively

p 54019
   0.7360 kg / m3
RT 287.1 x 255.65

What are the pressure, temperature and density at 5000 m in ISA + 10 model?

Answer:

T = (288.15+10) – 0.0065 x 5000 = 265.65 K or – 7.5 0C

5
 5.256
 255.65 
p   . p0  0.5331x101325  54019 Pa
 288.15 

p 54019
   0.7083 kg / m3
RT 287.1 x 265.65

Let us now apply our knowledge to solve the following problem

An aircraft has a wing with an area of 50 m 2 and an aspect ratio of 8. It is cruising at

an altitude of 3000 m P.A, where the ambient temperature is 5.5 0C , at a speed such
that its overall lift coefficient is 0.20.
If the mass of the aircraft is 10000 kg, what are the values of the following quantities
at cruise conditions

(1) Ambient static pressure

(2) Ambient dynamic pressure
(3) Ambient total pressure
(4) Ambient air density
(5) Aircraft’s true airspeed in KTAS
(6) Aircraft’s equivalent airspeed in KEAS
(7) Cruise Mach number
(8) Ambient air viscosity
(9) Ambient air kinematic viscosity
(10) Wing span
(11) Geometric mean chord of wing
(12) Flight Reynolds number based on wing’s chord

Answer:

It is noted that the altitude is 3000 m, therefore the aircraft is flying within the
troposphere. However, it is not known which atmospheric model is used and it is
necessary to assume that it is the ISA + X model, where the value of X must be
determined.
The temperature at 3000 m P.A. is

T = 288.15 + X – 0.0065 x 3000 = 273.15 + 5.5 = 278.65

Therefore X = 278.65 – 288.15 + 19.5 = 10

Thus it is determined that we are using ISA + 10 atmospheric model

1. Ambient static pressure: p

 288.15  0.0065 x 3000 

5.256 5.256
 268.65 
p   x 101325    x 101325
 288.15   288.15 

p  0.932335.256 x 101325  0.6919x 101325 70107 Pa

6
2. Ambient dynamic pressure: q = 1
2 V 2

L (Lift) = m.g (Weight) where L = q.S. CL

mg 10000 x 9.81
Therefore q    9810 Pa
S .CL 50 x 0.20

3. Ambient total pressure: ptot

ptot  p  q  70107 9810  79917 Pa

4. Ambient air density

p 70107
   0.8763 kg / m3
RT 287.1 x 278.65

5. Aircraft’s true airspeed in KTAS (knots true airspeed)

1 1
 2q  2  2 x 9810  2
V     149.6 m / s
    0.8763 

But we know that 1 knot = 0.5144 m/s, therefore true airspeed is

V = 291 KTAS

6. Aircraft’s equivalent airspeed in KEAS (knots equivalent airspeed)

Equivalent airspeed Veq is defined as follows
q  12 .V 2  12 0 .Veq 2
1 1
  2  0.8763  2
Therefore Veq    .V    x 291  246 KEAS
 0   1.225 
Another way of calculating the required value is as follows
1 1
 2q  2  2 x 9810  2
Veq       126.6 m / s 126.6 / 0.5144  246 KEAS
 0   1.225 

7. Cruise Mach number: M

Mach number is speed divided by speed of sound a, where a is given by

a   .R.T  1.4 x 287.1 x 278.65  334.7 m / s

M V / a 149.6 / 334.7  0.447

8. Ambient air viscosity: 

Viscosity is a function only of temperature and is governed by the simple Rayleigh’s
law on viscosity or the more accurate but more complicated Sutherland’s law

7
 0.75
T 
Rayleigh’s law:    . 0
 T0 
1.5
 T   T  110 
Sutherland’s law:     . 0  . 0
 0 
T T  110 

where  0 is the viscosity at 15 0C and is measured to be  0 = 1.789 x 105 kg / m.s

Since the ambient temperature is 278.65 K, therefore the value of  is
0.75
 278.65 
Using Rayleigh’s law:    x1.789 x105 1.745 x105 kg / m.s
 288.15 
1.5
 278.65   398.15 
Using Sutherland’s law:    x
5
 x 1.789 x 10 1.743 x10
5

 288.15   388.65 
9. Ambient air kinematic viscosity  m / sec is defined as follows
2




Therefore, using Sutherland’s law result we have
1.743 x105
 1.989 x105 m2 / sec
0.8763

10. Wing span: b

b  AR. S  8x50  20 m

11. Geometric mean chord of wing: c

b 20
c   2.5m
AR 8

12. Flight Reynolds number based on wing’s chord: Re

 .V .c V .c 149.6 x 2.5
Re    18.8 x106
  1.989 x10 5

Example Aircraft slightly higher than troposphere or for h >11000 m

An aircraft has a wing with an area of 375 m 2 and an aspect ratio of 15. It is cruising
at an altitude of 12000 m P.A, where the ambient temperature is -56.5 0C , at a speed
such that it’s overall lift coefficient is 0.25.
If the mass of the aircraft is 80000 kg, what are the values of the following quantities
at cruise conditions?

(1) Ambient static pressure

(2) Ambient dynamic pressure
(3) Ambient total pressure
(4) Ambient air density
(5) Aircraft’s true airspeed in KTAS
(6) Aircraft’s equivalent airspeed in KEAS

8
 (7) Cruise Mach number
(8) Ambient air viscosity
(9) Ambient air kinematic viscosity
(10) Wing span
(11) Geometric mean chord of wing
(12) Flight Reynolds number based on wing’s chord

It is noted that the altitude is 12000 m, therefore the aircraft is flying slightly above
the troposphere. However, it is not known which atmospheric model is used and it is
necessary to assume that it is the ISA + X model, where the value of X must be
determined. The temperature within the tropopause is constant and is equal to the
temperature at 11000 m. The temperature at 11000 m P.A. is

T = 288.15 + X – 0.0065 x 11000 = 273.15 - 56.5 = 216.65

Therefore X = 216.65 – 288.15 + 71.5 = 0

Thus it is determined that we are using ISA atmospheric model

1. Ambient static pressure: p at h = 12000 m

p  22361 x exp (  0.0001577 (h 11000))  22361 x exp  0.0001577 12000  11000  

p  22361 x exp(  0.1577)  22361 x 0.854119099 Pa

2. Ambient dynamic pressure: q = 1

2 V 2

L (Lift) = m.g (Weight) where L = q.S. CL

mg 80000 x 9.81
Therefore q    8371 Pa
S .CL 375 x 0.25

3. Ambient total pressure: ptot

ptot  p  q 19099  8371 27470 Pa

4. Ambient air density

p 19099
   0.3071 kg / m3
RT 287.1 x 216.65

5. Aircraft’s true airspeed in KTAS ( knots true airspeed )

1 1
 2q  2  2 x 8371  2
V      233.5 m / s
    0.3071 

but we know that 1 knot = 0.5144 m/s, therefore true airspeed is

9
 V = 454 KTAS

6. Aircraft’s equivalent airspeed in KEAS (knots equivalent airspeed )

Equivalent airspeed Veq is defined as follows

q  12 .V 2  12 0 .Veq 2
1 1
  2  0.3071  2
Therefore Veq    .V    x 454  227 KEAS
 0   1.225 

Another way of calculating the required value is as follows

1 1
 2q  2  2 x 8371  2
Veq       116.9 m / s 116.9 / 0.5144  227 KEAS
 0   1.225 

7. Cruise Mach number: M

Mach number is speed divided by speed of sound a, where a is given by

a   .R.T  1.4 x 287.1 x 216.65  295.1m / s

M V / a  233.5/ 295.1 0.791

8. Ambient air viscosity: 

Viscosity is a function only of temperature and is governed by the simple Rayleigh’s

law on viscosity or the more accurate but more complicated Sutherland’s law
0.75
T 
Rayleigh’s law:    . 0
 T0 
1.5
 T   T  110 
Sutherland’s law:     . 0  . 0
 0
T  T  110 

where  0 is the viscosity at 15 0C and is measured to be  0 = 1.789 x 105 kg / m.s

Since the ambient temperature is 278.65 K, therefore the value of  is
0.75
 216.65 
Using Rayleigh’s law:    x1.789 x105 1.444 x105 kg / m.s
 288.15 
1.5
 216.65   398.15 
Using Sutherland’s law:    x
5
 x 1.789 x 10 1.422 x 10
5

 288.15   326.65 
9. Ambient air kinematic viscosity  m / sec is defined as follows
2




Therefore, using Sutherland’s law result we have
1.422 x105
  4.630 x105 m2 / sec
0.3071

10
10. Wing span: b
b  AR. S  15x375  75 m

11. Geometric mean chord of wing: c

b 75
c   5m
AR 15

12. Flight Reynolds number based on wing’s chord: Re

.V .c V .c 233.5 x 5
Re     25.2 x106
  4.63 x10 5

11