Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > High School Quizzes > Science

Altimeter Reading Practice Quiz

Sharpen your skills with real exam scenarios

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Wendy DaughenbaughUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 10
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art promoting Altimeter Ace Challenge, a trivia quiz for aviation students.

This altimeter reading quiz helps you practice reading aircraft altimeters with clear, practice‑style questions. Work through 20 quick questions where you read the dial and choose the altitude for each. Use it to build speed and accuracy.

Which pressure setting makes the altimeter read airfield elevation when parked on the runway at that field?
QNH (sea-level pressure adjusted to station)
ISA (International Standard Atmosphere)
QFE (pressure at sea-level standard)
QNE (regional pressure setting)
undefined
What happens to indicated altitude if you increase the barometric setting in the Kollsman window?
Indicated altitude decreases
Indicated altitude is unchanged
Altimeter needle reverses direction
Indicated altitude increases
undefined
You set 29.92 inHg and the altimeter reads 4,500 ft. What is this altitude called?
True altitude
Pressure altitude
Density altitude
Absolute altitude
undefined
Field elevation is 1,200 ft. With QNH set, your altimeter on the ramp reads 1,550 ft. What should you do first?
Tap the instrument until it settles to 1,200 ft
Adjust the baro setting to the current QNH from ATIS or METAR
Note it as instrument hysteresis and depart
Reduce electrical load to stabilize the altimeter
undefined
Which component supplies pressure to the altimeter?
Static port
Gyro rotor
Pitot tube
Vacuum system
undefined
Transition altitude is 18,000 ft in the US. What should the Kollsman window be set to above this altitude?
Sea-level ISA temperature
29.92 inHg (standard)
Local QNH
QFE
undefined
What does QFE setting make the altimeter read at the departure runway threshold?
Pressure altitude
Field elevation above mean sea level
Zero feet
Density altitude
undefined
On a three-pointer altimeter: short pointer on 0, medium pointer on 7, long pointer on 5. What is the indicated altitude (feet)? Assume standard setting.
17,500 ft
7,500 ft (short=0 ten-thousands, medium=7 thousands, long=500)
750 ft
700 ft
undefined
Given altimeter setting 30.12 inHg but you used 29.82 inHg, how will your indicated altitude compare to true altitude near sea level?
Indicated lower than true by ~300 ft
Indicated higher by ~30 ft
Indicated higher than true by ~300 ft
Indicated equal to true
undefined
On a three-pointer altimeter: short pointer just past 1, medium pointer on 2, long pointer on 9. What is the indicated altitude?
12,900 ft
1,290 ft
129 ft
21,900 ft
undefined
If temperature is much colder than standard, how does true altitude compare to indicated at a given indicated altitude over terrain?
They are equal
Depends only on wind, not temperature
True altitude is lower than indicated
True altitude is higher than indicated
undefined
If the sea-level pressure decreases while you cruise and you do not update QNH, relative to the terrain your true altitude will be
Lower than indicated (from high to low, look out below)
Equal to indicated
Higher than indicated
Unchanged unless temperature changes
undefined
Which statement about density altitude is correct?
It is the same as pressure altitude at all times
It decreases with higher temperature, improving performance
It increases with higher temperature and altitude, reducing performance
It is unrelated to humidity
undefined
On a drum-pointer altimeter, the window shows 10, and the pointer is on 4. What is the indicated altitude?
400 ft
14,000 ft
10,400 ft
1,040 ft
undefined
A blocked static port during a climb will make the altimeter
Read lower than actual
Freeze at the altitude where blockage occurred
Oscillate rapidly
Read higher than actual
undefined
What does an encoding altimeter provide to a transponder?
GPS altitude in meters
True altitude above ground
Pressure altitude referenced to 29.92 inHg
Cabin altitude
undefined
Calculate pressure altitude: Field elevation 5,000 ft, altimeter setting 30.52 inHg. Approximate pressure altitude is
5,600 ft
4,000 ft (30.52 is +0.60; subtract ~600 ft from field elevation)
6,000 ft
3,400 ft
undefined
Cold temperature correction is applied to which type of altitude for obstacle clearance on approaches?
Absolute altitude
Minimums or step-down fix altitudes (to ensure sufficient true altitude)
Indicated altitude
Pressure altitude
undefined
Why can rapid pressure changes in mountain waves affect altitude keeping?
They increase pitot pressure
They alter static port location
They heat the altimeter case
They change local pressure, causing indicated altitude to vary without actual height change
undefined
If the altimeter lags during rapid climbs, the primary cause is
Static port icing always
Electrical interference
Instrument mechanical lag and case elasticity
Vacuum pump wear
undefined
0

Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze altimeter readings to determine accurate altitude levels.
  2. Apply altimetry concepts to real-world aviation and science scenarios.
  3. Calculate altitude changes using appropriate measurement techniques.
  4. Interpret instrument data to assess flight safety and performance.
  5. Evaluate environmental impacts on altimeter accuracy.

Altimeter Reading Cheat Sheet

  1. How an Altimeter Works - Your altimeter is like a pressure detective, sniffing out changes in atmospheric pressure and converting them into altitude readings. Understanding this mechanism is the first step to flying confidently and safely.
  2. Clock‑Style Dials - Most altimeters resemble little clock faces with multiple hands, each showing different altitude increments. Get friendly with these indicators so you'll never misread your height above the ground.
  3. The Kollsman Window - This tiny window lets you dial in the local barometric pressure, ensuring your altimeter stays accurate no matter where you fly. Make it a habit to update it before every flight and whenever ATIS changes.
  4. Temperature & Humidity Effects - Changes in temperature and moisture can make your altimeter's internal parts expand or contract, tweaking your readings. Be aware of extremes and apply any necessary corrections for precision flying.
  5. Weather & Geography Impacts - Shifts in regional air pressure - due to storms or mountain ranges - can throw off your altimeter's accuracy. Knowing how high‑ and low‑pressure systems work helps you anticipate and adjust for these quirks.
  6. Wind & Turbulence Fluctuations - Bumpy air and sudden gusts can jostle your aircraft and momentarily skew altitude readings. Always average out needle wobble and trust your instruments alongside visual cues.
  7. Pressure Altitude - This is your height above the standard pressure level of 29.92″ Hg - crucial for flight planning and maintaining separation in controlled airspace. Switch to the standard setting when you're flying at higher altitudes or on cross‑country trips.
  8. Absolute Altitude - Also called "AGL" (Above Ground Level), this tells you exactly how high you are above the terrain directly below. It's your go‑to for safe terrain clearance during takeoff, landing, and low‑level flights.
  9. Regular Calibration - Just like tuning a musical instrument, you need to check and calibrate your altimeter regularly to keep it singing in tune. Pre‑flight checks and annual inspections will help you avoid nasty altitude surprises.
  10. Dealing with Failures - If your altimeter goes on the fritz, stay calm, maintain straight-and-level flight, verify barometric settings, and call ATC for assistance. Always carry a backup altimeter or use GPS altitude as a cross‑check.
Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Science Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker