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Aircraft systems and instrumentsQuestion 517 of 934

The pilot flies from an area with an altimeter setting of 29.94 into an area where the setting is 29.69. The pilot does not reset the altimeter. About how far off is the altimeter?

  1. The airplane is about 250 feet higher than indicated
  2. The airplane is about 250 feet lower than indicated
  3. The airplane is about 25 feet lower than indicated
  4. The airplane is about 2,500 feet lower than indicated
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Correct answer: The airplane is about 250 feet lower than indicated

One inch of pressure is about 1,000 feet. The difference is 0.25 inch, or about 250 feet.

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 8: Flight Instruments — Altimeter — Setting the Altimeter, page 207

Practice aircraft systems and instruments

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026