Simviation Forums

Sorry I know its not an earth shatteringly important question but some times you've just gotta know, What does ATC mean when it says
'Landmark 1123 enter right traffic for runway 14 right. Current altimiter **2992**' it just doesnt seem to make much sense but then again not many things do to me!
Also while im here does anyone know how to make an automatic landing in any aircraft and if so could you tell me the procedure. I can land an aircraft first time any time but I just though it would be a good laugh and also very useful if it would work.
Many thanks

That means you need to set your altimeter to the correct pressure to read properly.

By default, pressing 'B' automatically sets it for you

I think when he says "Current Altimeter is ......" that they are telling you the elevation of the airport above sea level...

They tell you this so you can set your altimeter to match so that you know when to expect the ground to meet the wheels!  ;D

its the altimeter settings, it gives you the correct altitude above ground level or sea level so you dont hit the ground to soon compared to your altimeter reading. its also used for aircraft seperation below FL180( i believe) so they are all one the same setting and at the correct altitude.
anyone who finds mistakes please correct them

The setting in the altimeter is its barometric pressure. This ensures that all aircraft in the same airspace have their altimeters calibrated to the same level to avoid collisions. So Craig you are quite right, and above FL180 its always 2992.

Ozzy

FYI.. 2992 means 29.92 inches of mercury. The US use that instead of millibars to set altimeters. hope that helps

Thanks everyone ill try pressing 'B' in future. But still no help on the Automatic landing? Come on Ozzy your a wizz you must know something! Also sorry to put the dampers on things but it can't mean the elevation of the airport above sea level as one of my fav airports is Kuala Lumpur intr - Sepang (I thourgly recommend it to any one willing to see the world its quite a useful base)and the ATC there always says 2992 and I know to full well that it is at only 85 ft abouve sea level
thanks any way looking forward to future replies!

Thanks everyone ill try pressing 'B' in future. But still no help on the Automatic landing? Come on Ozzy your a wizz you must know something!

I know that it involves creating an ILS flight and then using Autopilot. But to tell you the truth I am strictly do VFR flights so I am not sure...but at least you can start by either playing with IFR flights or you can take the ILS flight training first....

what ya gotta remember is 2992 changes with the weather it could be 3001 or 2956 during differant types of weather

Careful with the `B` key guys....

As already correctly stated, ATC is giving you the current barometric pressure which you can match by hitting `b` or calibrate manually on most altimeters - there's usually a knob.

To expand on the high altitude separation issue, in real life all aircraft flying above a certain altitude are obliged to set a barometric pressure of 29.92 irrespective of what the actual barometric pressure is. This is desigend to ensure that all aircraft flying at high altitude are "playing in the same ballpark".

In the U.S.A., again in real life, it's FL180 (18,000 feet). However this is not a world wide level. In the UK it can change many times depending which area you're in which, to me, seems to defeat the point but there you go.

It varies all over the world. BUT as far as Microsoft are concerned, it's a worldwide figure and applies anywhere you fly in the sim. So once you hit that altitude, you have to manually set the barometric pressure to 29.92 otherwise you'll get the infamous "You are x number of feet below/above your assigned altitude" moans until your IFR flightplan is cancelled.

Just remember to set it to true barometric pressure once your descent takes you under FL180.

....In the U.S.A., again in real life, it's FL180 (18,000 feet).....

I have always found that confusing... ...!

FL1 = 1,000 feet.
FL18 = 18,000 feet.
..always seemed much simpler to me rather than guessing the correct numbers of zero's to add to the number to get the altitude..... ....!
...or am I missing something.... ...
LOL...!

Cheers...
Paul.
(England).

but then the problem comes when needing altitudes like 1800, which is FL18

but then the problem comes when needing altitudes like 1800, which is FL18

I see what you mean Craig, that explains it....
I still have to spend too much time counting zero's on my fingers, adding it to the FL number, and trying to work it out, instead of looking out of the window and noticing how close to the ground I am getting... ...!
...oooopppssss...!
...quick pull back on the joystick.... ...!
LOL...LOL...LOL...!

Cheers mate...
Paul.
(England).

well at least if your round san fransisco way you can read the street signs and know where you are:)

well at least if your round san fransisco way you can read the street signs and know where you are:)

But only if your flight level is really low