How is pressure altitude calculated?

How is pressure altitude calculated?

• A. By correcting indicated altitude for temperature
• B. By measuring altitude above standard pressure
• C. By using local pressure settings in the cockpit
• D. By adjusting actual altitude for wind effects

Answer: (B)

Pressure altitude is calculated by measuring the altitude above a standard pressure level, which is typically considered to be 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg) or 1013.25 hPa. When determining pressure altitude, the actual atmospheric pressure is compared to this standard pressure. If the atmospheric pressure is lower than standard, the pressure altitude will be higher than the indicated altitude, and vice versa. This method is crucial in aviation for various calculations, including flight planning and performance predictions, ensuring that altitude readings are consistent regardless of local weather conditions. In this context, the other choices involve different aspects of aviation but do not accurately describe how pressure altitude is specifically calculated. For example, correcting indicated altitude for temperature affects true altitude but does not directly determine pressure altitude. Using local pressure settings in the cockpit refers to adjusted altimeter settings, which are necessary for accurate altitude readings but do not define pressure altitude itself. Adjusting for wind effects also deals with navigation and flight performance but is unrelated to the calculation of pressure altitude.

Pressure altitude is calculated by measuring the altitude above a standard pressure level, which is typically considered to be 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg) or 1013.25 hPa. When determining pressure altitude, the actual atmospheric pressure is compared to this standard pressure. If the atmospheric pressure is lower than standard, the pressure altitude will be higher than the indicated altitude, and vice versa. This method is crucial in aviation for various calculations, including flight planning and performance predictions, ensuring that altitude readings are consistent regardless of local weather conditions.

In this context, the other choices involve different aspects of aviation but do not accurately describe how pressure altitude is specifically calculated. For example, correcting indicated altitude for temperature affects true altitude but does not directly determine pressure altitude. Using local pressure settings in the cockpit refers to adjusted altimeter settings, which are necessary for accurate altitude readings but do not define pressure altitude itself. Adjusting for wind effects also deals with navigation and flight performance but is unrelated to the calculation of pressure altitude.