Hectopascals
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
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From: UK
Hectopascals
So, the Hectopascal is upon us.
Does anyone else find this change in pressure units strange and unnecessary? If nothing else, it's a longer word and doesn't flow quite so well over the radio.
Does anyone else find this change in pressure units strange and unnecessary? If nothing else, it's a longer word and doesn't flow quite so well over the radio.
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 211
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From: UK
I thought in the world of the met office, its always been hPa. The name changed when published for aviation/naval reporting purposes.
Edit: also the reason for ATC stating the unit when the pressure falls less than 1000 (one thousand hPa/mb), is due to the ambiguity between 997 and _9.97In Hg (29.97 inches if the first '2' is clipped or missed).
Edit: also the reason for ATC stating the unit when the pressure falls less than 1000 (one thousand hPa/mb), is due to the ambiguity between 997 and _9.97In Hg (29.97 inches if the first '2' is clipped or missed).
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,598
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From: Amsterdam
Inches are so much easier....
United 643 descend to altitude 4,000 feet QNH 1029
Ah, could we get that in inches please United 643
Certainly, United 643 descend to altitude 48,000 inches, QNH Is still 1029
Ah, could we get that in inches please United 643
Certainly, United 643 descend to altitude 48,000 inches, QNH Is still 1029
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 712
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From: SE England
Just waiting for them to bring in milliatmospheres - that would roll off the tongue nicely AND be a boost to the economy with all the new altimeters required. Or Torr (mmHg) would be a good compromise - the mercury would keep them happy on one side of the atlantic and mm keeps them happy on the other side and in the rest of the world.
Sad to see the old mb go.
Sad to see the old mb go.
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 34
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From: Bedford
Cranfield tower seemed to take great delight in saying hectopascals at every opportunity today. With just a tiny pause to make you wonder if they were going to say it this time "QFE niner niner eight...........hectopascals".
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
I'm sure he's joking. Everyone knows that a paper conversion chart wouldn't be nearly accurate enough for something like this.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 292
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From: Ready to Depart
What amuses me most is that just as we are wrapping our tongues around a new, SI/PC phrase, the Russians are busy changing from metric to imperial units for altitude.
Last edited by Dusty_B; 4th December 2011 at 00:38.
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,486
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From: Darwin
Let me get this straight - the UK has changed from measuring air pressure in milliBars, to measuring in Hectopascals... which are identical... and you people are complaining about it?
This is an absolute complete non-issue!
This is an absolute complete non-issue!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 639
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From: Mare Imbrium
Let me get this straight - the UK has changed from measuring air pressure in milliBars, to measuring in Hectopascals... which are identical... and you people are complaining about it?
H