Altimeters

Altimeters

An altimeter is a device used to measure altitude, or the height above a given reference point, such as sea level. The most common type of altimeter is the barometric altimeter, which measures altitude by detecting changes in air pressure. As altitude increases, air pressure decreases, and the altimeter uses this change in pressure to determine the current altitude. Barometric altimeters are commonly used in aviation, where accurate altitude measurements are critical for safe navigation. In addition to barometric altimeters, there are also radio altimeters, which use radio waves to determine altitude. Radio altimeters are commonly used in aircraft to measure the height above the ground during takeoff and landing. They work by emitting a radio signal towards the ground and measuring the time it takes for the signal to bounce back. This time delay is used to calculate the altitude above the ground. Altimeters are also used in a variety of other applications, such as mountaineering, where they are used to measure altitude above sea level. In this context, altimeters are often combined with GPS devices to provide accurate positioning information. Altimeters can also be used in weather forecasting, where changes in air pressure can be used to predict changes in weather patterns. Overall, altimeters are essential tools for measuring altitude in a variety of applications, from aviation to mountaineering to weather forecasting. They provide accurate and reliable measurements of altitude, which are critical for safe navigation and accurate positioning.

altitude, barometric, radio, aviation, mountaineering

— Ryan Phillips

CITATION : "Ryan Phillips. 'Altimeters.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=284243 (Accessed on July 13, 2025)"