Transition Altitude is the point at which the altimeter should be set to which pressure setting during climb?

Transition Altitude is the point at which the altimeter should be set to which pressure setting during climb?

• A. SPS
• B. QNH
• C. QFE
• D. 1013.25 hPa

Answer: (A)

Transition altitude is the point where you switch your altimeter to the standard pressure setting so readings are based on a common reference, not local pressure variations. Above this altitude, using the standard setting keeps all aircraft aligned in the same pressure frame, which helps maintain safe separation. The best choice is the standard pressure setting, because it represents the switch from local pressure readings (which use QNH) to a universal reference. The actual numeric value is 1013.25 hPa, but the term you use in procedures is standard pressure setting (SPS). QNH would use local sea-level pressure and varies with weather, which isn’t suitable for high-altitude separation. QFE is the pressure setting that makes the altimeter read zero at the airfield elevation, not appropriate for transition altitude. So, at transition altitude you set SPS (1013.25 hPa).

Transition altitude is the point where you switch your altimeter to the standard pressure setting so readings are based on a common reference, not local pressure variations. Above this altitude, using the standard setting keeps all aircraft aligned in the same pressure frame, which helps maintain safe separation.

The best choice is the standard pressure setting, because it represents the switch from local pressure readings (which use QNH) to a universal reference. The actual numeric value is 1013.25 hPa, but the term you use in procedures is standard pressure setting (SPS). QNH would use local sea-level pressure and varies with weather, which isn’t suitable for high-altitude separation. QFE is the pressure setting that makes the altimeter read zero at the airfield elevation, not appropriate for transition altitude. So, at transition altitude you set SPS (1013.25 hPa).