PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Abnormally Cold Air Effects on Altitude Readings
Old 17th Jan 2017, 09:04
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FullWings
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tring, UK
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Does the error exist because the altimeter and instrument manufacturers cannot handle large ISA DEV?
No. It exists because we define (indicated) altitude in terms of air pressure. The altimeter, if properly calibrated and using the correct datum is indicating the correct altitude according to the definition.

The issue is that unless the atmosphere at that moment is identical to the ISA one, that indicated altitude will be different from the true altitude or elevation. The magnitude and direction of that difference will depend on the constitution of the part of the atmosphere that’s below you.

To put it another way, an indicated foot (or a metre) on a pressure altimeter does not automatically correspond 1:1 to an actual physical foot or metre, unless the atmospheric conditions are exactly the same as the model. This rarely (if ever) happens...
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