ContestID67 wrote:
I am a member of two local soaring organizations and work with several
others. Most organizations fly MSL. A few teach flying AGL. It was
pointed out at one meeting that flying MSL is illegal if you read FAR
91.121 (shown below). They also mentioned that if you crash and the
NTSB says your altimeter was set wrong, then your insurance (life
and/or hull) may not pay up.

At least one CFIG at the club that teaches AGL says that gliders do not
fly "cruising altitude or flight level" and thus this FAR does not
apply.

What is your opinion? I offer none of my own at this point.

Thanks, John

John,

There was a pretty good discussion of this subject here last year.
Seach for QFE and QNH and you will probably find all the argument you
need!

I think you have it backwards about MSL vs AGL - The FARs would tend
towards stating that flying AGL (i.e. altimeter set so that when on the
ground, it reads zero) is illegal, and that you are required to set the
altimeter to the best local setting - that makes the altimeter
inticate your altitude MSL (field elevation on the ground).

I think the argument about gliders not having a cruise altitude is
bogus - the point is to be able to avoid other aircraft cruising at VFR
hemispheric altitudes that you are descending or climbing through; by
knowing where to look. Hard to do with your altimeter set on QFE!

Kirk
MSL/QNH all the way.