What is the pressure altitude at an airport that is 3,563 feet MSL with an altimeter setting of 29.96?

To determine the pressure altitude, you start by using the formula that relates the measured altitude at an airport to the pressure setting of the altimeter. Pressure altitude is the altitude reading when the altimeter is set to the standard pressure setting of 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg).

1. First, identify the difference in the altimeter setting from standard pressure. In this case, the altimeter setting is 29.96 inHg, which is slightly above the standard setting of 29.92 inHg.

2. The elevation of the airport is 3,563 feet MSL. When the altimeter is set to a pressure higher than standard, it will indicate a lower altitude than the actual altitude.

3. The pressure altitude can be calculated by using the following steps:

• For every 1 inch of mercury above 29.92, the altitude decreases by 1,000 feet.

• Here, the altimeter is set to 29.96, which is 0.04 inHg above 29.92. Thus, you will convert this change in atmosphere to feet.

To calculate the change:

• 0.04 inHg translates to 0.04 × 1,000 feet