At what pressure altitude and temperature combination does an aircraft weighing 3,800 lb using maximum rate of climb consume 40 pounds of fuel?

To determine the correct pressure altitude and temperature combination where an aircraft weighing 3,800 lb consumes 40 pounds of fuel using the maximum rate of climb, it is essential to understand how altitude and temperature affect aircraft performance, specifically fuel consumption during climb.

At higher altitudes, air density decreases, which can result in reduced engine performance and may lead to higher fuel consumption for a given climb rate, depending on the aircraft's power settings, aerodynamic efficiency, and other factors. Temperature also plays a crucial role; hotter air is less dense than cooler air, which can negatively influence the climb performance and increase fuel consumption.

In the context of the first option, an airport pressure altitude of 4,000 feet and a temperature of 30 °C would generally be within a range that allows for sufficient engine performance while still reflecting the increased fuel consumption at higher temperatures. The weight of the aircraft and the conditions under which it is operating contribute to the fuel usage.

If you consider the environmental conditions outlined in the other options, you will see that they either present a higher altitude or a combination of altitude and temperature that might lead to even higher fuel consumption due to reduced engine efficiency or excessive climb requirements. Thus, the combination in the first choice strikes a balance that