What is the standard sea level free air temperature?

The standard sea level free air temperature is defined as 15 degrees Celsius. This value is used as a reference point in various aviation and meteorological calculations. The significance of this temperature lies in its role in standard atmospheric equations, which are essential for determining other atmospheric properties such as pressure, density, and performance characteristics of aircraft.

Using 15 degrees Celsius as the standard allows for consistent comparisons and computations in order to evaluate the behavior of aircraft in standard atmospheric conditions. It serves as a baseline from which deviations in temperature at different altitudes can be assessed, which is crucial for pilots and engineers when planning flights or analyzing performance data.

The other temperature options are not used as the standard sea level free air temperature and would result in inaccurate calculations related to flight performance and atmospheric modeling if employed as such.