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Aviation Glossary :: Pressure Altitude  Aviation Glossary :: Pressure Altitude FAA Written Test Preparation
Aviation Glossary Welcome to the Dauntless Aviation Glossary!

At Dauntless, our editorial staff maintains the web's largest unified glossary of aviation terms. This glossary is built from a combination of official, quasi-official, and proprietary sources (including original material that we develop oursselves). Uniquely, we often provide multiple definitions of a given term so that you can find that which best applies to you. In order to maximize your learning efficiency, this glossary (and similar ones for our international users) is incresingly fully integrated into our aviation learning apps, including our FAA written test prep and FAA practical test prep software and apps. If you like this glossary, you'll love them with their polished learning environments and world's best and clearest content (please do give them a try.).

Pressure Altitude
Pressure Altitude
The altitude indicated when the altimeter setting window (barometric scale) is adjusted to 29.92. This is the altitude above the standard datum plane, which is a theoretical plane where air pressure (corrected to 15°C) equals 29.92 in. Hg. Pressure altitude is used to compute density altitude, true altitude, true airspeed, and other performance data.
source: FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A)
The altitude in standard air at which the pressure is the same as that of the existing air. Pressure altitude is read on an altimeter when the barometric scale is set to the standard sea level pressure of 29.92 inches of mercury.
source: FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Airframe Handbook (FAA-H-8083-31)
The altitude in standard atmosphere at which the pressure is the same as the existing pressure.
source: FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Powerplant Handbook (FAA-H-8083-32)
The altitude in the standard atmosphere at which the pressure is the same as at the point in question. Since an altimeter operates solely on pressure, this is the uncorrected altitude indicated by an altimeter set at standard sea level pressure of 29.92 inches or 1013 millibars.
source: FAA Aviation Weather for Pilots (AC 00-6A)
The altitude above the standard datum plane. The standard datum plane is where the air pressure is 29.92 inches of mercury (corrected to plus 15 °C).
source: FAA Flight Navigator's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-18)
The height above the standard pressure level of 29.92 "Hg. It is obtained by setting 29.92 in the barometric pressure window and reading the altimeter.
source: FAA Glider Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-13A)
The height above the standard pressure level of 29.92 "Hg. It is obtained by setting 29.92 in the barometric pressure window and reading the altimeter.
source: FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21A)
Altitude above the standard 29.92" Hg plane.
source: FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25A)
The altitude indicated when the altimeter setting window (barometric scale) is adjusted to 29.92. This is the altitude above the standard datum plane, which is a theoretical plane where air pressure (corrected to 15 ºC) equals 29.92 "Hg. Pressure altitude is used to compute density altitude, true altitude, true airspeed, and other performance data.
source: FAA Weight Shift Control Handbook (FAA-H-8083-5)
The altitude in standard atmosphere at which a given pressure will be observed. It is the indicated altitude of a pressure altimeter at an altitude setting of 29.92 inches of mercury, and is therefore the indicated altitude above the 29.92 constant pressure surface.
source: NOAA National Weather Service Glossary

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Disclaimer: While this glossary in most cases is likely to be highly accurate and useful, sometimes, for any number of editorial, transcription, technical, and other reasons, it might not be. Additionally, as somtimes you may have found yourself brought to this page through an automated term matching system, you may find definitions here that do not match the cotext or application in which you saw the original term. Please use your good judgement when using this resource.


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