altimeter

views 2,059,948 updated May 21 2018

al·tim·e·ter / alˈtimitər/ (abbr.: alt.) • n. an instrument for determining altitude attained, esp. a barometric or radar device used in an aircraft.

altimeter

views 1,838,885 updated May 21 2018

altimeter Instrument for measuring altitude. The simplest type is a form of aneroid barometer. As height increases, air pressure decreases, so the barometer scale can be calibrated to show altitude. Some aircraft have a radar altimeter, which measures the time taken to bounce a radar signal off the ground.

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