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Altimeter

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Aircraft Systems, Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Instrument Rating, Light Sport Aircraft, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

What is the difference between a sensitive and regular altimeter?

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2 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Jan 16, 2015

    A sensitive altimeter is the type you see in nearly every airplane you’re likely to come across in training today. The non sensitive type is not adjustable for changes in barometric pressure (no Kollsman window). But this is not a big problem since they also usually have a very small scale – meaning instead of the altimeter going around once for every thousand feet and having two or three hands, it will have one hand that only goes around once for about every 10 thousand feet. You can know you altitude to within maybe 100 feet if you look closely. That’s why a sensitive altimeter is required for IFR flight. These are most typically seen on true antique aircraft or replicas, so from the teens and 20’s I would guess.

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  2. Gary S. on Jan 26, 2015

    psequeira, a sensitive altimeter is one installed in an aircraft piloted by a sensitive person…NO, just kidding. It’s one which is sensitive to change in barometric pressure and dependant on a pitot-static system for it’s operation. The sensitive altimeter is at the top of the list of instruments deserving a keen understanding of it’s use and errors. Have a look at AIM Chap 7, Sect. 2 on altimeter’s.

    As far as I know there’s no such thing as a “regular” altimeter. There used to be such a thing as radio altimeter’s which are essentially operated by radar and used at low altitude during approaches. Radio altimeter’s, if they still exist, are primarily installed on larger aircraft. I imagine most of them they have been replaced by satellite systems by now.

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