The barometric scale on the altimeter is used to set what?

Study for the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

The barometric scale on the altimeter is used to set what?

Explanation:
The barometric scale is used to set the reference pressure level from which altitude is measured. The altimeter reads the ambient atmospheric pressure and converts it to an altitude relative to the pressure you input in that scale (the local sea-level pressure, or standard pressure). If you set the local QNH, you read altitude above mean sea level; if you set the standard pressure (29.92 inHg / 1013 hPa), you read pressure altitude. This setting affects what the instrument displays as altitude, not wind speed, temperature, or fuel.

The barometric scale is used to set the reference pressure level from which altitude is measured. The altimeter reads the ambient atmospheric pressure and converts it to an altitude relative to the pressure you input in that scale (the local sea-level pressure, or standard pressure). If you set the local QNH, you read altitude above mean sea level; if you set the standard pressure (29.92 inHg / 1013 hPa), you read pressure altitude. This setting affects what the instrument displays as altitude, not wind speed, temperature, or fuel.

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