[chevvron]

:lol:

Thing is... how could you set QFE for Mountain Home AFB. elevation 2,996ft?

The pressure selection doesn't go that low. At ISA, you'd need to be able to set 913hPa (26.96 inHg) in the subscale Kollsman window. A typical altimeter won't go that low.

Don't need to; for low level displays they normally use a radalt.

[nallen]

<continuing the thread drift on altimeter setting>
I don't know if this is the altimeter fitted to that doomed F16, but the majestic omniscience of the internet produces the spec for a solid state device: http://www.kellstromdefense.com/PDF/Tech_Sheets/F-16-Solid-State-Barometric-Altimeter.pdf. 950-1048 is its operating pressure range …

[neaton]

Don't need to; for low level displays they normally use a radalt.

Presumably a radalt isn't a lot of use if you're inverted? Or are they "smarter" than that?

[chevvron]

Don't need to; for low level displays they normally use a radalt.

Presumably a radalt isn't a lot of use if you're inverted?

Nor is a barometric altimeter if you're low level; it has to be done on eyeball.

[vintage ATCO]

A radalt will only give you height above the bit of terrain you are over, not the display datum which is what you need. None of the steam driven aeroplanes I am use to at displays would have one. I made a 'too low' call to one at an air display and he said he was at 'xxxft radalt'. We knew very well he didn't have one!

[vintage ATCO]

Nor is a barometric altimeter if you're low level; it has to be done on eyeball.

Silly

[townleyc]

<continuing the thread drift on altimeter setting>
I don't know if this is the altimeter fitted to that doomed F16, but the majestic omniscience of the internet produces the spec for a solid state device: http://www.kellstromdefense.com/PDF/Tech_Sheets/F-16-Solid-State-Barometric-Altimeter.pdf. 950-1048 is its operating pressure range …

Wouldn't that restrict you on an ISO day to 1700 AMSL?

KE

[Dave W]

Not if you use "QNH" and fly at elevation plus circuit height; which is why people in most of the World do that.