Altitude above ground level indication in small planes

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by 737Andi

Hi,

I have a probably very stupid question that can hopefully be answered by someone....when preparing e.g. a Cessna 172 for a traffic pattern trip over a certain airfield I adjust the QNH to the correct setting so that my altitude gauge is showing the field elevation of that airport.
Lets say I want to fly my traffic pattern in an altitude of 1000feet above ground level. The airport altitude is 350 feet above sea level.
During climb do I really need to reckon 1000 feet + 350 feet to know that I must stop at 1350feet for the height of the pattern? Or is there a trick to show me the above ground altitude inside the cockpit of the cessna?

With the a320 I would just look at the radio altimeter for that.

Thanks!

Best regards Andi

You fly at whatever altitude the airport operator tells you in the conditions of use of the airport. It you're uncertain, phone the operator or the ATS unit (if there is one) and ask.