Originally Posted by
TriStar_drvr
the ceiling is height above ground. Pilots give their altitude at height above mean seal level. Van Nuys field elevation is around 700 feet above seal level. Therefore a ceiling of 1100 feet would put the cloud bases at 1800 feet MSL. The pilot reported his altitude as indicated by his altimeter as 1400 feet MSL. Therefore at the time about 400 feet below the cloud bases.