Pilot Café IFR Practice Test 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Mastering Instrument Flight Rules!

The correct setting for the Altitude Indicator during a cockpit check is to set it to the local altimeter setting or field elevation. This ensures that the altimeter reflects accurate and relevant altitude information for the aircraft's current location, which is critical for maintaining safe separation from terrain and other aircraft.

Using the local altimeter setting compensates for atmospheric pressure variations and allows the pilot to understand their altitude relative to sea level, which is essential for navigation and safety in IFR operations. By setting the altimeter to this value, pilots can ensure that their altitude readings are consistent with other aircraft operating in the same airspace, which is vital for maintaining proper vertical separation.

In situations where the altimeter is set to standard pressure of 29.92 inches of mercury, it typically occurs at higher altitudes during cruising, not during initial cockpit checks on the ground. Setting to the nearest hundred feet above ground level is not a standard practice for the altimeter accuracy required for IFR operations. Similarly, using an arbitrary value such as 1000 feet does not reflect the necessary calibrations based on the local conditions and could lead to incorrect altitude readings that compromise safety.