When the altimeter is set to 29.92 inHg, the indicated altitude corresponds to which type of altitude?

When the altimeter is set to 29.92 inHg, the indicated altitude corresponds to which type of altitude?

• A. Pressure altitude
• B. True altitude
• C. Indicated altitude
• D. Density altitude

Answer: (A)

Setting the altimeter to the standard pressure of 29.92 inHg makes the instrument read pressure altitude. This is the altitude in the standard atmosphere that corresponds to the current pressure, essentially the height above the standard datum plane where pressure equals 29.92 inHg. It differs from true altitude (which is above mean sea level, affected by nonstandard temperature and pressure), indicated altitude (which uses the local pressure setting), and density altitude (which adjusts pressure altitude for nonstandard temperature). So the indicated altitude under this setting is the pressure altitude.

Setting the altimeter to the standard pressure of 29.92 inHg makes the instrument read pressure altitude. This is the altitude in the standard atmosphere that corresponds to the current pressure, essentially the height above the standard datum plane where pressure equals 29.92 inHg. It differs from true altitude (which is above mean sea level, affected by nonstandard temperature and pressure), indicated altitude (which uses the local pressure setting), and density altitude (which adjusts pressure altitude for nonstandard temperature). So the indicated altitude under this setting is the pressure altitude.