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Aircraft systems and instrumentsQuestion 510 of 934

An airplane flies from a high pressure area to a low pressure area. The pilot does not change the altimeter setting. What is true?

  1. The actual altitude is higher than the indicated altitude
  2. The actual altitude equals the indicated altitude
  3. The actual altitude is lower than the indicated altitude
  4. The altimeter reads the pressure altitude
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Correct answer: The actual altitude is lower than the indicated altitude

The old saying is "going from a high to a low, look out below."

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 8: Flight Instruments — Altimeter — Effect of Nonstandard Pressure and Temperature, page 206

Practice aircraft systems and instruments

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026