Altimeter Setting Procedures

Question 0

Define QFE

Answer 0

Actual atmospheric pressure at a place. The datum is ground level and so the altimeter will show ‘Height’

Question 1

Define QNH

Answer 1

Actual present atmospheric pressure at a certain place corrected for sea level. Altimeter will show ‘Altitude’

Question 2

Define QNE

Answer 2

It is the standard setting, (1013.2 hpa). It’s a fictitious datum which can be below, at or above sea level. Vertical distance from this datum is called ‘Pressure Altitude’ and is expressed as a ‘Flight Level’

Question 3

Transition Altitude (TA)

Answer 3

The altitude the pilot of a climbing aircraft changes his altimeter from local QNH to standard setting 1013.2.
In VMC it should be at least 2000’ AGL

Question 4

Transition Level (TL)

Answer 4

The Flight Level at which the descending aircraft changes his altimeter from 1013.2 to the local QNH.
It’s 1000’ above the Transition Altitude. Ie. 3000’ AGL