if an airplane lands in Denver, does its altimeter say its still 5,000 feet in the air?

Question

Denver IS known as the mile-high city...

Answer 1

The altimeter of an airplane measures the barometic pressure in relation to a pressure that is stated in weather reports, that is calculated to be what the pressure would be at that location at sea level. So, assuming the altimeter is set correctly, a plane on the ground at denver would show about 5,400 feet on the altimeter. The pilot's are of course smart enough to know that the field elevation is 5,400 feet and so that reading doesn't suprise them at all.

Most airliners also have radar altimeters that measure the distance between the airplane and the ground, which would of course show 0 once an airplane lands--this type of altimeter helps with precision landings especially during times of poor visibility.

There are places in the world at much higher elevations. I know of one airport at which the altimeter would show 12,000 feet on the ground, causing pilots to argue about their actions regarding landing lights (they usually turn the landing lights off once they climb to above 10,000 feet).

Answer 2

Some airplanes are only equipped with a manually adjustable altimeter. I have come in contact with the ground due to a 300 foot difference and failure to reset my altimeter. I lost the landing gear and was forced to make an emergency landing!

Answer 3

What Pokimaniac said is absolutely true. I just wanted to add that on most aircraft that have a radar altimeter, it only goes to about 2500 feet above ground then it stops indicating. The RA is used only for low altitude while doing approaches to an airport.

Answer 4

If it is going by the barometric altimeter it will still read 5000 ft. But airplanes also have a radar altimeter which gives altitude above ground.

Answer 5

Yes, but technically the altimeter says it's 5,000ft above sea level, and not 5,000 ft in the air.

Answer 6

If the barometric pressure is set right in the Kohlsman window on the altimeter, it will read field elevation, regardless of where it is sitting. At Leadville, CO. it would read 9,927 feet if you had one that reads individual feet..

Answer 7

All aircraft helicopter/fixed wings will have to reading ASL (above sea level) and a alt above ground some larger aircraft have or use a third instrument which is set at the invidual airports and sends signal to aircraft to tell them the height ASL of airfield. This is used to make sure aircraft ASL is working and to make sure if airfield is at 5000ft yet aircraft reading 300ft above ground yet 5200ft ASL it could possibly come into land on the base it has 100ft extra clearence before landing. which if pilot has not flared out could put nose on airstrip first or belly resulting in accident etc.

Answer 8

Well.. Denver is 1 mile above sea level, higher in some places vs. others.

Answer 9

The short answer: Yes.