Determining high point from flight recorder data

[Sam Discusflyer]

So you fly a great XC and download the flight recorder
data. See You shows a trace and the question arises....
DID I go over 17,999'?

Who has the procedure to use to determine this from
flight recorder data? Does the procedure take into
consideration instrument error? Yes! But how?
Does the procedure correct for non-standard pressure?
Yes! But how?

[Eric Greenwell]

Sam Discusflyer wrote:
> So you fly a great XC and download the flight recorder
> data. See You shows a trace and the question arises....
> DID I go over 17,999'?
>
> Who has the procedure to use to determine this from
> flight recorder data? Does the procedure take into
> consideration instrument error? Yes! But how?
> Does the procedure correct for non-standard pressure?

There is no need to correct for non-standard pressure, assuming you mean
"non-standard pressure variations of the atmosphere". The 18,000 foot
ceiling is not measured by actual distance, but by a pressure
instrument: your altimeter. You only have to account for it's pressure
measuring error, not the variation of the atmosphere from "standard". It
can show 18,000' while your actual height can vary by a 1000' or more
from 18,000', as you can see from the GPS altitude.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

"Transponders in Sailplanes" on the Soaring Safety Foundation website
www.soaringsafety.org/prevention/articles.html

"A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org