Can someone explain what it is with the military and using QFE for everything (in the UK, obviously)? We transitted a Mil zone today (Class D not just MATZ) and were told to fly on QFE. We were below the cloud at 1500ft QNH. This immediately loses all reference to terrain and obstacles (unless you have two altimeters, we did), except for the airfield within the CTR which we were not inbound to. And how do they go on co-ordinating with each other? Must involve much arithmetic gymnastics, and for why?
On the way back we elected to climb to 3500ft IFR but again were put on the QFE (and an approx 500ft difference.)
I know the mil at one time were all QNH but went back to QFE. Now it seems
all QFE rather than what we do in the civil world of QNH for intermediate approach and zone transits, and QFE for final approach and landing (and that's rare now at my unit.)
Seems odd but I am sure there must be an explanation.
