998/988 millibars
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,425
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From: n/a
The company I used to work for used QFE for many years. There is a certain sense in the altimeter reading zero when the wheels are on the ground. However as our operations extended further and further from the UK it became almost impossible to get QFE out of some locations and even some places in mainland Europe you asked for QFE and had time to make a cup of tea while they worked it out. In the end we admitted defeat and for standardisation moved entirely to QNH approaches.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 277
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From: London
Actually QFE and QNH are rounded.. from time to time they'll be 1 out. They are at Shoreham with and elevation of 7ft.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 314
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From: uk
Somehow it is comforting to know that you won't crash until the altimeter reads zero (assuming of course the little window has the right number in it).
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,218
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From: Surrey
Colorado Springs (home of the USAF) on a standard day would need you to wind off about 210 mb (i.e. set in 803 mb on your altimeter subscale) and if you needed to miss the approach you need to be aware of terrain going up around 14,000 feet. - if 998 vs 988 can be a problem winding 200 mb on and off is going to be a risk (and on my altimeter) I don't think I can set that low a subscale pressure!
