Pressure Altitude Calculator

Calculate the pressure altitude based on field altitude and temperature. Pressure altitude is the altitude in the standard atmosphere at which the air pressure is the same as the observed air pressure at the current location.

Input Parameters

Calculation Results

Calculation Formula

Pressure Altitude (PA) = Field Altitude (FA) + 120 × [(15 - Temperature) / 5]

Where:
PA = Pressure Altitude
FA = Field Altitude
Temperature = Temperature in Celsius

Pressure Altitude Calculator Usage Guide

Learn how to use the Pressure Altitude Calculator and understand its importance in aviation

What is Pressure Altitude?

Pressure altitude is the altitude in the standard atmosphere at which the air pressure is the same as the observed air pressure at the current location. It is an important parameter in aviation as it affects aircraft performance and is used for aircraft instrument calibration.

How to Use the Calculator

  1. Enter your field altitude in feet. This is your current altitude above mean sea level.
  2. Enter the current temperature in Celsius.
  3. Click the "Calculate" button to compute the pressure altitude.
  4. The result will be displayed in feet.

Importance in Aviation

Pressure altitude is crucial for several reasons:

  • It provides a standardized reference for aircraft performance calculations.
  • Aircraft performance (such as climb rate and fuel consumption) is affected by pressure altitude.
  • Pressure altitude is used for radio altitude calibration on aircraft.
  • It helps in determining true airspeed corrections.

Example Calculation

For example, if you're at a field altitude of 1,000 feet with a temperature of 15°C:

Pressure Altitude = 1,000 + 120 × [(15 - 15) / 5] = 1,000 + 120 × 0 = 1,000 feet

If the temperature drops to 0°C, the calculation would be:

Pressure Altitude = 1,000 + 120 × [(15 - 0) / 5] = 1,000 + 120 × 3 = 1,460 feet