![]() Pilots speak to air traffic controllers regularly in order to gather this information. Unless he or she does so, navigation errors quickly result. Whether he or she is using a glass cockpit or traditional “steam gauges,” the pilot must set it to the altimeter pressure of the nearest airport. On piston-driven airplanes, pilots must input new information into the altimeter on a regular basis, usually every ten to fifteen minutes. Radar and GPS altitude can give this same information, but they cannot sense changes in air pressure like an altimeter can, and radar only works at lower altitudes. This is important for pilots to know so they have an accurate concept of how high the aircraft is. It is different from a barometer, which only indicates atmospheric pressure, whereas an altimeter translates atmospheric pressure into altitude. The altimeter measures static air pressure, which is the pressure of the atmosphere. In addition to the altimeter, the six-pack consists of the airspeed indicator, attitude indicator, vertical speed indicator, heading indicator, and turn coordinator. To correctly understand what pressure and density altitude are, as well as the differences between them, pilots must first have a strong grasp of what an aircraft’s altimeter is, what it measures, and how it works.Īltimeters are part of an airplane’s “ six-pack ,” which refers to six primary instruments, either analog or digital, which are present in most general aviation cockpits. The Importance of an Altimeter in Understanding Pressure Altitude vs. density altitude, as well as the concepts behind them, are just a small part of flying as a well-rounded pilot. Working knowledge of a few formulas and instruments related to pressure altitude vs. Learning about the differences and similarities between them, as well as how they are measured and calculated, is an important part of any pilot’s education. Understanding which is which will help you better understand the forces acting upon your aircraft a well-educated pilot can then adjust accordingly, especially depending on the weather and time of year the flight takes place. Many student pilots are confused by the difference between pressure altitude and density altitude. Certificates and Ratings Earned in Degree Programs.Bachelor of Science Aviation Business Administration.School of Aeronautics: Rotorcraft-Helicopter.
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