Altimeter

Definitions

• A flight instrument that indicates altitude by sensing pressure changes.
• A pressure reading device that, when properly calibrated, indicates the height of the aircraft above mean sea level (MSL). An altimeter is a required instrument in a balloon, as directed by 14 CFR part 31, Airworthiness Standards: Manned Free Balloons.
• An instrument that indicates flight altitude by sensing pressure changes and displaying altitude in feet or meters.

References

• Airplane Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2021
• Balloon Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2024
• Helicopter Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2019
• Powered Parachute Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2007
• Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2000
• Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2008