Altimeter Error Trainer

PILOT ARCADE ALL MISSIONS

ALTITUDE PROFILE

Where the aircraft really is

TRUE = INDICATED

AIR COLUMNS29.92 → 29.92 · ISA

TARGET INDICATED6,000 FT

NEW TRUE6,000 FT

PILOT ACTIONLEVEL

ALTIMETER 6,000 FT

ALTIMETER SETTING29.92IN HG

Terrain clearance matches the indication.
The altimeter setting and temperature are standard in this training model.

BUILD THE SITUATION

Environment controls

Pressure changeSETTING CURRENT

TemperatureISA

Standard temperature: no modeled temperature error.

ALTIMETER SET29.92

LOCAL PRESSURE29.92

NO MODELED ERROR Indicated and true altitude agree

With the current setting and standard temperature, the visual model places the aircraft on the indicated altitude line.

THE OPERATIONAL PICTURE

How pressure and temperature change altitude

PRESSUREInstrument first

At unchanged true altitude, lower pressure first makes the altitude displayed on the unchanged altimeter rise. Descending to restore the target display then moves the aircraft lower.

HIGH TO LOW · LOOK OUT BELOW

TEMPERATURERelative to ISA

Warmer than standard generally means true altitude is higher than indicated. Colder than standard generally means true altitude is lower.

COMPARE WITH ISA, NOT 15°C ALONE

SETTING SCALE1.00 in Hg

Approximately 1,000 feet of indicated-altitude error for an altimeter-setting error of 1.00 in Hg.

APPROXIMATION

PRIMARY TEMPERATURE TIP Warmer than standard → true generally higher. Colder than standard → true generally lower.

Standard temperature is 15°C only at sea level and decreases approximately 2°C per 1,000 feet. True-altitude error depends on the atmospheric temperature profile—not just one outside-air-temperature reading.

TRANSITION TIP “From hot to cold, look out below.”

At a constant indicated altitude, entering colder air generally lowers true altitude. It does not necessarily put true altitude below indicated altitude if the final air column remains warmer than standard.

TRAINING MODEL: Numerical values assume a sea-level reference station, the ISA tropospheric lapse rate, and a uniform temperature deviation from ISA through the modeled column. Real true-altitude error depends on the full atmospheric temperature profile; two OAT readings alone are insufficient. Visual values are illustrative. Do not use this trainer for navigation or operational cold-temperature corrections. Follow current FAA procedures, published corrections, your AFM, and ATC instructions.