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Understanding Altitude: Difference between revisions
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* '''Indicated''' altitude | * '''Indicated''' altitude | ||
= Absolute Altitude == | |||
'''Absolute''' altitude is how high you actually are above ''mean sea level'' ('''MSL'''). Go to the beach, and there is your "absolute level", no mountains in the way, you can fly across the ocean at around 200ft if wanted and this is important height "measurment", mainly for avoiding terrain and obstacles (underwater). | '''Absolute''' altitude is how high you actually are above ''mean sea level'' ('''MSL'''). Go to the beach, and there is your "absolute level", no mountains in the way, you can fly across the ocean at around 200ft if wanted and this is important height "measurment", mainly for avoiding terrain and obstacles (underwater). | ||
== Pressure Altitude == | |||
'''Pressure''' altitude is the altitude shown on an aircraft [[Instruments/altimeter|altimeter]] when it is set to the ''International Standard Atmosphere'' ('''ISA''') standard pressure" (29.92 inches of Mercury). When flying in Class-A airspace (above 18,000 MSL) pilots are required to set their altimeters to ISA, and fly at a "flight level" assigned by Air Traffic Controllers. Using this standard setting helps pilots to maintain more accurate vertical separation between aircraft at higher altitudes. Pressure altitude is also used to calculate density altitude. | '''Pressure''' altitude is the altitude shown on an aircraft [[Instruments/altimeter|altimeter]] when it is set to the ''International Standard Atmosphere'' ('''ISA''') standard pressure" (29.92 inches of Mercury). When flying in Class-A airspace (above 18,000 MSL) pilots are required to set their altimeters to ISA, and fly at a "flight level" assigned by Air Traffic Controllers. Using this standard setting helps pilots to maintain more accurate vertical separation between aircraft at higher altitudes. Pressure altitude is also used to calculate density altitude. | ||