Altimeter, Cockpit and Descent - Aviator Connection

Altimeter

Cockpit

Descent

The Pitot-Static System: How It Works

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 12, 2024

These two simple features power three of the most important cockpit instruments. The respective instruments for showing these readings are: The Airspeed Indicator (ASI) The Altimeter The Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) Components of the Pitot-Static System Have you ever noticed the little L-shaped component on the front of an airplane?

Pitot Tube

Pitot Tube Altimeter Descent Airplanes

Airspeed and Altitude Control Simplified: Tips for Stable Flying

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

Combining the data shown on your cockpit instruments helps you make better judgments. One example is Indicated Airspeed (IAS), which is the airspeed you read directly from cockpit instruments. Using the VSI and Altimeter for Stability The vertical speed indicator and altimeter are your best tools for maintaining a steady altitude.

True Airspeed

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Altimeter Lift

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Trending Sources

Flight Instruments vs. Avionics

WayMan

JUNE 16, 2025

Altimeter: Shows the altitude of the aircraft above a designated reference point, essential for flight level assignment and terrain clearance. Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI): Indicates the aircraft’s rate of climb or descent, making it possible to accurately control the vertical flight path.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Omni-Directional Range Primary Flight Display Cockpit

The Day I Learned to Trust My Instruments

Air Facts

JUNE 4, 2025

I focused on the panel: attitude indicator, heading indicator, altimeter. I acknowledged and began a gentle descent. I locked into a steady scan: attitude, altimeter, turn coordinator, back to heading. The landing was smooth, and after shutting down on the ramp, I sat for a moment in the quiet cockpit. Trust the tools.

Altimeter

Altimeter Turbulence Weather VOR

Solo, But Not Alone

Air Facts

AUGUST 1, 2025

I sat in the cockpit of the old Tecnam P92-JS Echo, tail number I-GITR. We had practiced tacchi a terra (heels down on the pedals), ascents, descents, turns, volo lento (slow flight), stalls, and landing with engine and flap failures. Aviation teaches you that you’re never truly solo—not in the cockpit and not in life.

Runway

Runway Tail Air Traffic Control Altimeter

Accident Briefs—July 2025

Plane and Pilot

JULY 1, 2025

Investigators noted at the time of the accident the temperature was 30 degrees Celsius, the dew point was 4 C, and the altimeter setting was 29.98. Glasair III Pahrump, Nevada/Injuries: None NTSB Report: WPR23LA272 According to the pilot, he detected the odor of fuel in the cockpit shortly after takeoff.

Density Altitude

Density Altitude Airplanes Runway Pilot

How an EFB Helps Private Pilots Transition to IFR Flying

Flying Magazine

MAY 30, 2025

The altimeter started slipping. He lost 200 feet before even noticing the descent. For VFR pilots beginning instrument training, the cockpit gets crowded fast. In the modern cockpit, changes to the plan can be executed far more easily without missing a beat. A quick look at winds aloft while planning the descent.

Pilot

Pilot NOTAMs Clearance Approach

Airspeed & Vertical Speed

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024

Can we simplify life by only talking about things that are actually displayed in the cockpit? For example, in a 200-feet-per-minute descent, a typical light plane will only gain a little speed. So what do we do with energy management? Even better, can we just use the underlying ideas and ignore this abstract term?

Airplanes

Airplanes Descent Pilot Altimeter

“Totally a visibility issue.”

Fear of Landing

DECEMBER 6, 2024

The controller confirmed a descent to 3,000 feet, the minimum safe altitude for BEGKA. They anchored the Mooney to heavy rigging in the tower and were finally able to make it to the cockpit. ” He explained that the fog was like “pea soup” and that he thought his altimeter wasn’t working correctly.

Approach

Approach Runway Descent Air Traffic Control

Cessna Skyhawk C172: Features, Performance, and Flight Experience

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 2, 2024

Cockpit and Avionics Sitting in the cockpit of a Cessna 172, one is immediately struck by the advanced Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite that dominates the instrument panel. First introduced in 2005, this all-glass cockpit revolutionized the flying experience for pilots by providing a comprehensive and intuitive interface.

Knot

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight

Indicated Airspeed (IAS)

WayMan

DECEMBER 12, 2024

When stepping into the cockpit, one of the most important instruments that a pilot relies on is the airspeed indicator. The Airspeed Indicator: A Pilot’s Essential Tool At the heart of IAS measurement is the airspeed indicator, a key instrument located on the cockpits instrument panel.

Indicated Airspeed

Indicated Airspeed True Airspeed Altimeter Cockpit

Top Apple Watch features and apps for pilots

iPad Pilot News

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

We’ve been flying with the Apple Watch since it first launched, and it’s become increasingly useful every year for both preflight weather checks and as an in-cockpit resource. It includes a GPS and compass for backup navigation and a bright sunlight readable screen for easy viewing in the cockpit.

Pilot

Pilot Altimeter Weather NOTAMs

ForeFlight vs. Garmin Pilot: 3 key differences to help you decide

iPad Pilot News

DECEMBER 17, 2024

For those new to aviation or those making the leap from paper charts, there comes a point when a decision is necessary on which app to use in the cockpit. Its a great backup for charts in the cockpit too. When you break it down though, the real question you should be asking is which app is best for me.

Pilot

Pilot Weather Flight Plan Approach

How to Land an Airplane

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

When it’s your turn in the cockpit, you’ll know what to do—whether it’s a routine landing or something urgent. Descent Point Nominate a descent point that will give you a constant 3° profile to the threshold. We can calculate the rate of descent required to achieve a 3° profile. Good question.

Airplanes

Airplanes Descent Approach Crosswind

Garmin SmartCharts: a pilot’s guide to interactive instrument charts

iPad Pilot News

JUNE 3, 2025

and any adjustments to be made (runway lighting out of service, remote altimeter setting, etc.). For example, the profile view in SmartCharts shows the descent angle for an LNAV+V approach (one with an advisory glideslope) and also the visual glideslope angle (like a PAPI). Some of the smaller details are also surprisingly helpful.

NOTAMs

NOTAMs Approach Runway Airplanes

Pilot’s aviation app directory – 2025 Edition

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 27, 2025

Altimeter+ Calculates the altitude of your current location via GPS, or from the built-in barometer included on newer iPhones and iPads.Offers Apple Watch app. Airbus FlySmart Airbus offers a collection of apps for pilots to assistwith performance planning, maintenance and other operational guidance when flying these airplanes.

Weather

Weather Pilot Flight Plan Airplanes

The Pitot-Static System: How It Works

Airspeed and Altitude Control Simplified: Tips for Stable Flying

Trending Sources

Flight Instruments vs. Avionics

The Day I Learned to Trust My Instruments

Solo, But Not Alone

Accident Briefs—July 2025

How an EFB Helps Private Pilots Transition to IFR Flying

Airspeed & Vertical Speed

“Totally a visibility issue.”

Cessna Skyhawk C172: Features, Performance, and Flight Experience

Indicated Airspeed (IAS)

Top Apple Watch features and apps for pilots

ForeFlight vs. Garmin Pilot: 3 key differences to help you decide

How to Land an Airplane

Garmin SmartCharts: a pilot’s guide to interactive instrument charts

Pilot’s aviation app directory – 2025 Edition

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