Altimeters are crucial instruments used in aviation to determine and monitor an aircraft’s altitude above a specific reference point, usually sea level (MSL). They provide pilots with essential altitude information that is vital for safe and efficient flight operations. Pilots use altimeters for several key purposes:
The primary use of an altimeter is to ensure safe flight operations by providing accurate altitude information. Pilots rely on altimeters to maintain appropriate altitudes during different phases of flight, such as takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and landing.
Altitude awareness is crucial for avoiding terrain and obstacles, complying with airspace regulations, and ensuring proper separation from other aircraft.
The pilots set an altimeter before the flight to calibrate it to the current air pressure at the departure airport. This process aligns the altititude indication with the actual altitude above sea level.
Since atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude, failure to properly set the altimeter may result in inaccurate altitude readings and pose safety risks, particularly during the critical phases of approach and landing.
The primary purpose of altimeter adjustment is to standardize altitude measurements across different flight operations and ensure consistency in altitude reporting. By setting the altimeter to the local atmospheric pressure at the departure airport (known as an altimeter frame), pilots ensure that altitude indications are referenced to mean sea level (MSL).
This standardization facilitates safe navigation in airspace, compliance with altitude restrictions, and accurate communication with air traffic control (ATC). Altitude setting adjustments during flight account for changes in air pressure, maintaining accurate altitude readings relative to the selected reference point throughout the journey