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Old 17th September 2003 | 23:22
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kitwe
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 65
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From: Lincs
Altimeters

(Simple) Altimeters measure pressure above the datum set on the millibar scale. Altimeters are calibrated to ISA conditions which assume, among other things, that the sea level tempreature is +15 degrees C. If the actual surface temperature is not +15, then the altimeter will read incorrectly.

If the temperature is less than +15 (as happens in UK much of the year), then the altimeter will over-read. You can work out the error by a simple calculation: approximately 4 feet per thousand feet (indicated altitude) times the number of degrees difference from +15 (ISA). e.g. cruising at 2000 feet on QNH, with a surface temperature of zero degrees, produces an error of 4x2x15 =120 feet. Your altimeter over-reads by 120 feet, therefore you are really flying at 1880feet.
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