Pressure Altitude

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Questions and Answers

What is the pressure altitude measured from?

  • Standard Datum Plane (SDP) (correct)
  • Mean Sea Level (MSL)
  • The aircraft's takeoff point
  • The highest point of the flight path

What is the purpose of setting the altimeter to 29.92 Hg?

  • To measure pressure altitude (correct)
  • To measure the altitude above MSL
  • To measure true altitude
  • To measure density altitude

Above what altitude is pressure altitude used as the standard reference altitude in the US and Canada?

  • 20,000 ft
  • 12,000 ft
  • 18,000 ft (correct)
  • 25,000 ft

What is the relationship between pressure altitude and true altitude?

<p>Pressure altitude is a reference altitude, while true altitude is a specific location-based altitude (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is pressure altitude important in aviation?

<p>It provides a standard reference altitude for all aircraft (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a flight computer such as ASA's CX3 or Sporty's Electronic E6B?

<p>To calculate pressure altitude (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the unit of measurement for air pressure in the context of pressure altitude?

<p>Inches of mercury (Hg) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is required above 18,000 feet in terms of altimeter settings?

<p>Setting the altimeter to 29.92 inches of mercury (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using a standard reference altitude like pressure altitude?

<p>To provide a common reference point for all aircraft (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is transmitted by the Mode C transponder?

<p>Pressure altitude (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the air pressure at the Standard Datum Plane (SDP)?

<p>29.92 Hg (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is pressure altitude used for in flight planning?

<p>Determining takeoff distance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of setting the altimeter to a standard setting above 18,000 feet?

<p>To reduce the chances of traffic conflicts (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of understanding pressure altitude?

<p>Better understanding of related altitudes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does ATC determine an aircraft's true altitude?

<p>Using the Mode C transponder's pressure altitude (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between pressure altitude and true altitude?

<p>Pressure altitude is a calculated value, true altitude is an actual value (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When do true altitude and pressure altitude match?

<p>When standard atmospheric conditions exist (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the altimeter setting for true altitude on the ISA day?

<p>29.92 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is density altitude?

<p>Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When are pressure altitude and density altitude the same?

<p>When standard atmospheric conditions exist (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do you calculate pressure altitude using the altimeter?

<p>By setting 29.92 on the altimeter and reading it (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the rule of thumb formula for pressure altitude?

<p>Pressure Altitude = (29.92 - Altimeter Setting) x 1000 + Elevation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the detailed pressure altitude formula?

<p>To get an exact value of pressure altitude (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Standard Datum Plane (SDP)?

<p>A theoretical reference line for pressure altitude (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the density altitude when the temperature is higher than the standard atmosphere?

<p>It increases (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of non-standard temperature on aircraft performance?

<p>It worsens (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Pressure Altitude Basics

  • Pressure altitude is the altitude read on an altimeter when set to 29.92 Hg.
  • It is the height above a Standard Datum Plane (SDP), a theoretical level where air pressure equals 29.92 inches of mercury (Hg).
  • Think of it as a standard "reference altitude."

Practical Application

  • Pressure altitude is used as a "baseline" for many other types of altitude, such as density altitude.
  • It is used above 18,000 ft in the US and Canada to ensure all aircraft fly according to the same reference.

Pressure Altitude vs. True Altitude

  • True altitude is the altitude above Mean Sea Level (MSL).
  • Pressure altitude and true altitude are the same when standard atmospheric conditions exist.

Pressure Altitude vs. Density Altitude

  • Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature.
  • Density altitude is the "effective pressure altitude" an aircraft "feels" for a given temperature.

Calculating Pressure Altitude

  • There are three primary ways to determine pressure altitude: using an altimeter, the pressure altitude formula, or a flight computer.
  • The rule of thumb formula for pressure altitude is: Pressure Altitude = (29.92 − Altimeter Setting) x 1000 + Elevation.
  • The detailed formula for pressure altitude is a more accurate but more complex calculation.

Using a Flight Computer

  • A flight computer, such as ASA's CX3 or Sporty's Electronic E6B, can be used to calculate pressure altitude easily and accurately.

How to Use Pressure Altitude

  • Pressure altitude is used in flight planning and aircraft performance charts.
  • It is used as the baseline for other calculations, such as density altitude.
  • Above 18,000 ft, pilots are required to set their altimeters to the standard 29.92 inches of mercury.
  • Mode C transponders transmit pressure altitude data.

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