geoffreywh Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 I was just reading about an Electronic Altimeter that will give readings of Above Sea Level and Above Ground Level. Plus a Barometer...Digitally of course. Updated every 2 seconds. Would that be a useful thing to have ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 Not " legally" useful at the moment. You could have it as an interest. Your GPS gives you this type of information (perhaps not so accurately). The old Barometric system based on a standard atmosphere model is uniformally used and everyone is supposed to use the same reference to fly levels and maintain separation. A radio altimeter did the same thing but usually only a small range of height registers which is useful for approaches, mainly. Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly_tornado Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 great if you like flying low Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyflyer Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 I was just reading about an Electronic Altimeter that will give readings of Above Sea Level and Above Ground Level. Plus a Barometer...Digitally of course. Updated every 2 seconds. Would that be a useful thing to have ? Sounds pretty good as it gives both barometric altitude and height above ground. As with all things electronic a backup system would be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yenn Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 You already have the backup! Why bother? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 The coloured heights in the GPS database are probably more useful. You then know how high the terrain is in front of you. Nev 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabiru Phil Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 My Aera 500 backup GPS . Just put a finger on the spot, it instantly gives you the ground level at that point. Found it useful when the altimeter hands dropped to 6 o'clock on a cross country trip a while ago. PHIL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roundsounds Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Like Nev says, everyone else will be using a pressure sensitive (barometric) altimeter. For VFR operations that's all you need, too many gadgets can provide too much information and become a distraction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Tuncks Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Since we are limited to VFR, looking out is good. One of the things they sometimes do to test glider pilots around here is to cover the altimeter and see how the front-seat guy goes. Of course the instructor in the back seat has an uncovered altimeter. It is mainly for airspace reasons we need any accuracy in altitude under these VFR conditions. Pity this covering up trick is not easy to do in side-by side planes like the Jabiru. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 If you have to outland unplanned you don't know the actual height of the terrain. Being able to judge circuit height visually has to be an advantage like all skills. Nev 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Tuncks Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Yes Nev, I remember this guy who was "thermalling" near Kapunda (500 ft higher than Gawler) using his altimeter to judge his height, forgetting about this change in elevation. Then a fence appeared on front of him. Well at least he walked away from the "landing". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearo Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Given the above mentioned device shows barometric pressure one would assume its using pressure sensors to obtain alt rather than other methods such as GPS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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