When the barometric scale is set to 29.92, the altimeter reads which type of altitude?

When the barometric scale is set to 29.92, the altimeter reads which type of altitude?

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

Answer: (B)

Setting the barometric scale to 29.92 standardizes the reference pressure to the international standard atmosphere, so the altimeter shows pressure altitude—the height above the standard datum plane where the pressure is 29.92 inHg. This is the reference used for flight levels and is independent of the actual local sea-level pressure. The other altitudes differ: indicated altitude is what you read with the local pressure setting, true altitude is your actual height above mean sea level, and density altitude adds the effects of nonstandard temperature to the pressure altitude.

Setting the barometric scale to 29.92 standardizes the reference pressure to the international standard atmosphere, so the altimeter shows pressure altitude—the height above the standard datum plane where the pressure is 29.92 inHg. This is the reference used for flight levels and is independent of the actual local sea-level pressure. The other altitudes differ: indicated altitude is what you read with the local pressure setting, true altitude is your actual height above mean sea level, and density altitude adds the effects of nonstandard temperature to the pressure altitude.