Simviation Forums

I was visiting a forum a little while ago and someone asked if it's possible to judge your altitude above ground level, now I don't think you can - well i dont know how too anyway, just wondering if this is possible?

I have actually crashed because of this before when I was flying over tenerife in low visibility.

Cheers

As far as I know, you can't judge (well) your height from the ground in FS.  It just isn't built for it, but there are gauges you can get from different panels and aircraft that are AGL (Above Ground Level) Altimeters.  One (I think) is included with FS 2002 on Patty Wagstaff's Extra 300s panel.  If you get CfgEdit, you can take that gauge and add it to any panel you want.  Now you have an AGL Altimeter.

The Cessna Grand Caravan also has a radar altimeter.  In these small craft they're limited to about 2000 feet.

I'm sure there are gauges for higher flying aircraft because I remember flying with one once - I just can't remember which one.

Hi
There is a "radio-altimeter" in Tipster's Baron panel.
That might just be what you are looking for.

Cheers
AJ

Hi
There is a "radio-altimeter" in Tipster's Baron panel.
That might just be what you are looking for.

Cheers
AJ

Here is a picture of that Radio-altimeter...I tried figuring it out but I never could! Can you explain it to me?!

In these small planes it is used to determine decision height.  If you have to make a decision at 500 feet you would set it to 500 feet (move the marker like you would on the compass) and at 500 feet you get a signal - a beep or something.  If you can't see the ground you can't land.

In these small planes it is used to determine decision height.

....and it does so by measuring the distance to the ground (using radiowaves I suppose).
I do not know the exact range of it (about 2500 ft I think). If you are higher above the ground the needle will be all the way to the left and when getting below 2500(?)  you will see it move towards zero upon touchdown.

Hope that answers your question.
O btw, it won't stop you from flying into mountains because it is only looking straight down.

Cheers
AJ

Here at SimV, under "Gauges" is the Collins YG-7500 Radar Altimeter gauge. By Dai Griffiths, 38 k.

http://www.simviation.com/fsgauges2.htm

I use it in my low-flying microlights/flexwings.
Well recommended... ...!

Cheers all... ...!
Paul.
(England)