WX 301 STUDY GUIDE REVIEW 2026
PRECISE ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Convert between in. of mercury (in. Hg) and millibars (mb).
Answer: 29.921" Hg = 1013.2 mb
◉ Explain the difference between station pressure and sea-level
pressure (SLP). Answer: Station Pressure: pressure measured by a
barometer near the surface
Sea-Level Pressure: station pressure corrected for the elevation of
that surface
*Near the surface, pressure decreases approximately: 1 mb per 10 m
or 1 inch Hg per 1,000ft.
◉ Describe what is meant by "Standard Atmosphere". Answer: SLP:
29.92"Hg/1013.2mb
Temp: 59F/15C
◉ Explain the difference between altimeter setting and "actual" SLP.
Answer: Both correct the station pressure
SLP is station pressure corrected for the elevation at that surface
Altimeter setting accounts for temperature
, ◉ Compare how pressure changes with height in a colder layer than
in a warmer layer.. Answer: Pressure changes more rapidly with
height in a cold atmosphere.
◉ 5 altitudes commonly used in general aviation. Answer: 1. True
altitude: Your height above mean sea level.
2. Absolute altitude: Your height above the ground.
3. Pressure altitude: Your height above the standard Mean SLP
surface of 29.921″ Hg.
4. Density altitude: Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard
temperatures.
5. Indicated altitude - The altitude displayed on your altimeter. Only
the same as true altitude under standard conditions (assuming a
calibrated altimeter).
◉ List the three most common errors in altimeter readings. Answer:
non-standard sea level pressure
non-standard temperature
strong vertical wind gusts
◉ Estimate the error between true altitude and indicated altitude
when the Kollsman window (or BARO) is incorrectly set. Answer:
1000ft / 1"Hg
EX: 30.50 vs 30.0 = 500ft difference
HIGH TO LOW LOOK OUT BELOW
PRECISE ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Convert between in. of mercury (in. Hg) and millibars (mb).
Answer: 29.921" Hg = 1013.2 mb
◉ Explain the difference between station pressure and sea-level
pressure (SLP). Answer: Station Pressure: pressure measured by a
barometer near the surface
Sea-Level Pressure: station pressure corrected for the elevation of
that surface
*Near the surface, pressure decreases approximately: 1 mb per 10 m
or 1 inch Hg per 1,000ft.
◉ Describe what is meant by "Standard Atmosphere". Answer: SLP:
29.92"Hg/1013.2mb
Temp: 59F/15C
◉ Explain the difference between altimeter setting and "actual" SLP.
Answer: Both correct the station pressure
SLP is station pressure corrected for the elevation at that surface
Altimeter setting accounts for temperature
, ◉ Compare how pressure changes with height in a colder layer than
in a warmer layer.. Answer: Pressure changes more rapidly with
height in a cold atmosphere.
◉ 5 altitudes commonly used in general aviation. Answer: 1. True
altitude: Your height above mean sea level.
2. Absolute altitude: Your height above the ground.
3. Pressure altitude: Your height above the standard Mean SLP
surface of 29.921″ Hg.
4. Density altitude: Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard
temperatures.
5. Indicated altitude - The altitude displayed on your altimeter. Only
the same as true altitude under standard conditions (assuming a
calibrated altimeter).
◉ List the three most common errors in altimeter readings. Answer:
non-standard sea level pressure
non-standard temperature
strong vertical wind gusts
◉ Estimate the error between true altitude and indicated altitude
when the Kollsman window (or BARO) is incorrectly set. Answer:
1000ft / 1"Hg
EX: 30.50 vs 30.0 = 500ft difference
HIGH TO LOW LOOK OUT BELOW
