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  • Chapter 8: Flight Instruments › Altimeter Operation

    altimeter indicates an altitude above the actual field elevation. If the barometric pressure setting is reset to the current altimeter setting of 29.68 "Hg, then the field elevation is again indicated on the altimeter. This pressure change ... easily noticed in flight since aircraft fly at specific altitudes. The aircraft steadily decreases true altitude while the altimeter is held constant through pilot action as discussed in the previous section. Knowing the aircraft’s altitude is vitally important…

  • Chapter 8: Flight Instruments › Types of Altitude

    Indicated altitude—read directly from the altimeter (uncorrected) when it is set to the current altimeter setting. 2. True altitude—the vertical distance of the aircraft above sea level—the actual altitude. It is often expressed as feet above mean ... level (MSL). Airport, terrain, and obstacle elevations on aeronautical charts are true altitudes. 3. Absolute altitude—the vertical distance of an aircraft above the terrain, or above ground level (AGL). 4. Pressure altitude—the altitude indicated when the altimeter setting…

  • Chapter 11: Helicopter Emergencies and Hazards › VFR Flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions

    instrument rated pilots when planning a VFR flight should include a review of published instrument charts for safe operating altitudes, e.g. minimum safe altitude (MSA), minimum obstruction clearance altitude (MOCA), minimum in VMC throughout a flight: off-route altitude (MORA ... IIMC occurs, the pilot may consider a climb to a safe altitude. Once the helicopter is stabilized, the pilot should declare an emergency with air traffic control (ATC). It is imperative that the pilot commit to controlling the helicopter…

  • Chapter 17: Aeromedical Factors › Health and Physiological Factors Affecting Pilot Performance › Treatment of Hypoxia

    Treatment of Hypoxia Treatment for hypoxia includes flying at lower altitudes and/ or using supplemental oxygen. All pilots are susceptible to the effects of oxygen starvation, regardless of physical endurance or acclimatization. When flying at high altitudes, it is paramount ... maximum time the pilot has to make rational, life-saving decisions and carry them out at a given altitude without supplemental oxygen. As altitude increases above 10,000 feet, the symptoms of hypoxia increase in severity, and the time…

  • Glossary › Chart Supplement U.S. (formerly Airport/Facility

    attitude and performance information. Cruise clearance. An ATC clearance issued to allow a pilot to conduct flight at any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to and including the altitude specified in the clearance. Also authorizes a pilot ... generated in, any conductor that is crossed by lines of flux from any magnet. D DA. See decision altitude. Datum (Reference Datum). An imaginary vertical plane or line from which all measurements of arm are taken. The datum is established…

  • Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance › Performance Charts › Sample Problem 1

    safety. The following illustration is an example of interpolating information from a takeoff distance chart. [Figure 11-21] Density Altitude Charts Use a density altitude chart to figure the density altitude at the departing airport. Using Figure 11-22, determine ... density altitude based on the given information. Sample Problem 1 First, compute the pressure altitude conversion. Find 30.10 under the altimeter heading. Read across to the second column. It reads “–165.” Therefore, it is necessary to subtract 165 from…