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The altitude in the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) with the same atmospheric pressure as the current altitude.
Pressure altitude is the altitude indicated when an altimeter is set to the standard atmospheric pressure of 1013.2 hPa (or 29.92 inHg). It represents the height above the standard datum plane, which is a theoretical level where the weight of the atmosphere is exactly 1013.2 hPa.
This metric is foundational for high-altitude flight operations. Above the transition altitude (10,000 feet in Australia), all aircraft must set their altimeters to standard pressure. This ensures that all aircraft operating in the flight levels are referencing the same datum, thereby maintaining vertical separation regardless of local weather conditions.
Furthermore, pressure altitude is the primary baseline used in almost all aircraft performance charts. Before a pilot can calculate density altitude, takeoff distance, or cruise performance, they must first determine the pressure altitude.
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