Pressure Altitude Formula:
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Definition: Pressure altitude is the altitude in the standard atmosphere where the pressure equals the measured pressure. It's an important concept in aviation.
Purpose: Pilots use pressure altitude to determine aircraft performance, true altitude, and for flight level calculations.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The difference between standard pressure and measured pressure is multiplied by 30 to get an approximate pressure altitude in feet.
Details: Pressure altitude is crucial for aircraft performance calculations, determining density altitude, and ensuring proper altitude separation between aircraft.
Tips: Enter the current atmospheric pressure in hectopascals (hPa). The calculator will provide the approximate pressure altitude in feet.
Q1: Why 1013.25 hPa as the standard?
A: This is the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level in the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) model.
Q2: How accurate is this approximation?
A: This is a simplified formula. For precise calculations, especially in aviation, more complex formulas accounting for temperature are used.
Q3: What's a typical pressure at sea level?
A: While 1013.25 hPa is standard, actual pressure typically ranges between 980-1040 hPa at sea level.
Q4: When would pressure altitude equal true altitude?
A: When the actual atmospheric pressure equals the standard pressure for that altitude.
Q5: How does this relate to density altitude?
A: Pressure altitude is one component of density altitude, which also considers temperature deviations from standard.