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, 2025 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.