Question

If a pilot fails to update the altimeter setting when flying from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure area, the aircraft altitude will be

• A. Higher than the altimeter indicates
• B. Lower than the altimeter indicates
• C. At the exact altitude indicated
• D. Performing better due to increased air density

Hint:

Remember the aviation mnemonic: \[ \boxed{\text{High to Low, Look Out Below}} \] and \[ \boxed{\text{Hot to Cold, Look Out Below}} \] Both situations cause the aircraft's true altitude to be lower than the indicated altitude.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Recall the effect of pressure on altimeter readings. An altimeter measures altitude based on atmospheric pressure. If the altimeter setting is not updated while flying from a region of \[ \boxed{\text{high pressure} \rightarrow \text{low pressure},} \] the altimeter indicates a higher altitude than the aircraft's true altitude.

Step 2: Apply the aviation rule. The standard aviation mnemonic is \[ \boxed{\text{``High to Low, Look Out Below.''}} \] This means that when flying from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure area without resetting the altimeter, the aircraft is actually \[ \boxed{\text{lower than the indicated altitude}.} \] Therefore, \[ \boxed{\text{Lower than the altimeter indicates}} \] is the correct answer. Thus, \[ \boxed{(B)} \] is the correct answer.