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2 Answers

When do you set your Altimeter on an instrument approach?

Asked by: 2363 views ,
Instrument Rating

During an instrument approach, when do you change your altimeter setting to the airport's setting?

I think Final Approach Fix is a good time to ensure that it's set, and could be *the* place to set it. Still, I would like to be ahead of the aircraft and have everything setup prior to the FAF.

I could also argue for setting it when getting the ATIS, but this may cause seperation issues if i'm flying a different setting from someone else.

What does a CFI think?

 

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2 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Sep 15, 2021

    I set it when I listen to the ATIS, ASOS, or AWOS. The FAF is too late, you should cross check the GS/GP crossing altitude at the FAF if you have vertical guidance and this is to double check you have a reasonable altimeter setting. Any charted altitudes on the procedure should be based on an altimeter that has already been set to the correct value.

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  2. Russ Roslewski on Sep 15, 2021

    I agree with John that the FAF is too late.

    In most of the country, the altimeter setting usually isn’t too far different from the one ATC gave you. I mean, a few hundredths of an inch isn’t going to make any difference.

    But in the event that you think it will, my recommendation would be to do it no later than once you’re cleared for the approach, since that also allows you (usually) to perform altitude changes as necessary to comply with what’s published.

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