How do you read a pressure altimeter?

Reading The Altimeter Reading a standard 3-hand altimeter is easy. The long pointer measures altitude in intervals of 10,000 feet (2 = 20,000 feet). The short, wide pointer measures altitude in intervals of 1,000 feet (2 = 2,000 feet). The medium, thin pointer measures altitude in intervals of 100 feet (2 = 200 feet).

How do you read an altimeter example?

Read the numbers on the drum, then look at the pointer and add the 100s and 20s to the numbers on the drum to get your altitude. For example, if the drum reads 6000, and the pointer is at the 2nd line past the 2, then you would read it as 6000+200+40=6240. Your altitude is 6240 feet.

When the altimeter is adjusted to read 29.92 You are reading which altitude?

18,000 feet MSL
At or above 18,000 feet MSL. All operators will set 29.92 “Hg. (standard setting) in the barometric altimeter.

Does an altimeter read MSL or AGL?

A plane that flies at 10,000 feet MSL and stays level registers as flying at 10,000 feet MSL — no matter the terrain changes below the pilot. Pilots use altimeters, which measure the AGL, when the aircraft is flying at relatively low heights landing at an airport.

What is pressure altimeter?

: an altimeter using an aneroid to determine altitude by measuring differences in atmospheric pressure — compare absolute altimeter.

How does a pressure altimeter work?

The altimeter measures the height of an aircraft above a fixed level. The instrument senses this by taking the ambient air pressure from the static port. As the aircraft goes up, the pressure inside the case decreases and the bellows expand. The opposite happens as the aircraft descends.

How is altimeter settings calculated?

To calculate pressure altitude without the use of an altimeter, subject approximately 1 inch of mercury for every 1,000-foot increase in altitude from sea level. For example, if the current local altimeter setting at a 4,000-foot elevation is 30.42, the pressure altitude would be 3,500 feet: 30.42 – 29.92 = 0.50 in.

What is the standard altimeter setting?

The standard altimeter 29.92 inches Mercury (“Hg.) setting at the higher altitudes eliminates station barometer errors, some altimeter instrument errors, and errors caused by altimeter settings derived from different geographical sources.

What is barometric altimeter?

An altimeter is a device that measures altitude—a location’s distance above sea level. Most altimeters are barometric, meaning they measure altitude by calculating the location’s air pressure. Skydivers and mountaineers also use altimeters to pinpoint their location in the sky or on the ground.