Cockpit Altimeter and HUD at bottom left of screen.

[--[---MAILMAN----]

I noticed that the altimeter in the cockpit reads different than the digital one on the HUD bar at the bottom of the screen.

 

I am flying the PWCG single player campaign, 36thFG out of Kingsnorth on the Normady Map.  The flight plan designates a specific altitude to fly.  Which of these two different altitudes indicates the correct altitude for the mission?  If I use the altitude of cockpit altimeter for the FP altitude I am higher than my flight and if I use the HUD the altitude is lower than the FP designated altitude.  Not a problem if I am one of the fligh, I just follow along the FL, but I am FL I want to be at the correct FP Alt.

 

The two only seem to render the same if I am over the water and then zero the altimeter to standard atmosphere pressure.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[BlitzPig_EL]

The HUD altimeter essentially functions as a radar altimeter.

 

It shows actual altitude above ground level, whereas the cockpit altimeter shows altitude above mean sea level, if properly calibrated for atmospheric pressure.

 

 

Edited February 10 by BlitzPig_EL

[LukeFF]

You should always reference the cockpit altimeter for mission planning. 

[--[---MAILMAN----]

Thanks to both of you.  I was guessing that the HUD altimeter was height above the ground, but was not sure.

 

I use the cockpit altimeter, sometimes zeroing it to the airfield I take off from when I spawn in.  I fly mostly online and the HUD altimeter is usually not available on the servers like CBRF.

 

Offline makes it easier when I use the HUD for these old eyes.