I saw a METAR for a nearby airport that had A2248 ... SLPNO in it with no maintenance indicator. Is the SLPNO a sign that the altimeter setting in the METAR is untrustworthy as well? How else does one get the altimeter setting (assuming ATIS is drawing from the same, messed up data source that the METAR is -- this is an RMK AO2A METAR), or is one grounded until the AWOS reading is fixed?
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
9
asked Feb 4, 2016 at 12:47
UnrecognizedFallingObjectUnrecognizedFallingObject
13.2k3 gold badges41 silver badges116 bronze badges
-
1$\begingroup$ Could you post the METAR in full? $\endgroup$– SteveCommented Feb 4, 2016 at 13:51
-
$\begingroup$ Since SLPNO means that the surface pressure is unavailable, how could it mean anything else except that the altimeter setting is unreliable? Are you asking why is didn't include a maintenance indicator, or what does SLPNO mean? I'm guessing that 2248 is the highest possible measurement. $\endgroup$– SimonCommented Feb 4, 2016 at 15:38
-
2$\begingroup$ @Simon I think his main question is what to do about the situation. How to get the correct reading. $\endgroup$– TomMcWCommented Feb 4, 2016 at 18:41
-
$\begingroup$ If you are on the ground at the field in question could you not just set the alt to read field elevation? Then you would have the correct pressure dialed in. $\endgroup$– TomMcWCommented Feb 4, 2016 at 18:43
-
$\begingroup$ @TomMcW Yes, but a strict legal reading will show that method is only allowable if your aircraft is not radio equipped. All aircraft flying below 18,000, except aircraft not equipped with a radio, are required to set their altimeter to the current reported altimeter setting of an appropriate available station. See 14 CFR 91.121. $\endgroup$– J WCommented Feb 4, 2016 at 22:25
|
Show 4 more comments
2 Answers
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
0
We might speculate why the METAR is giving innaccurate data, but the question asks, "What should one do..."
I will take the liberty of inferring the question to be "what should one do if one is unable to obtain an altimeter setting for the airport from which he or she is preparing to depart?" Note that this question could be asked due to an airport with a faulty weather reporting system (as in the question above), an airport without weather reporting at all (quite common, for example: D42 or S68), or an aircraft that is not radio equipped.
I will further take the liberty of answering from what I know: the FAA regulations.
I will point out that it is the pilot's responsibility to be familiar with all available information and this should include a thorough weather briefing whenever possible.
Under the FAA's jurisdiction, the relevant regulation is 14 CFR 91.121 (a) (1):
(a) Each person operating an aircraft shall maintain the cruising altitude or flight level of that aircraft, as the case may be, by reference to an altimeter that is set, when operating—
(1) Below 18,000 feet MSL, to—
(i) The current reported altimeter setting of a station along the route and within 100 nautical miles of the aircraft;
(ii) If there is no station within the area prescribed in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, the current reported altimeter setting of an appropriate available station; or
(iii) In the case of an aircraft not equipped with a radio, the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before departure
(Since all airports and terrain in the US are below 18,000 MSL, this applies to takeoff; the rules governing flight above 18,000—14 CFR 91.121 (a) (2)—do not apply to our question. "Operate" is defined in 14 CFR 1.1.)
We can go through this like a flowchart:
If "the current reported altimeter setting of a station along the route and within 100 nautical miles of the aircraft" is available, use that.
(Note that this could include current reported altimeter settings obtained by radio (ATC, flight service, or a nearby airport), phone call (briefer or AWOS), internet, or any other method that would procure the needed data.)
If no such station is available, then use "the current reported altimeter setting of an appropriate available station."
Now, if the aircraft in question is not equipped with a radio, then (and I would read technically only then) the pilot is permitted to set the altimeter to "the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before departure."
Now, that being said, if a pilot is in the middle of the Idaho backcountry at Wilson Bar (C48), or on the face of an Alaskan glacier, with no cell reception and no real way to acquire a current reported altimeter setting despite being in a radio equipped aircraft, then actual practice will be to set the altimeter to field elevation and get on with it. However, the requirement to use a current reported altimeter setting remains, and should be acquired at the first available opportunity.
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
If on the ground set your altimeter to indicate the field elevation and the altimeter pressure indicator will be adjusted with it.
If in the air ask a controller for it. Most towers I have been in have their own air pressure indicators so that they can advise pilots of the correct altimeter setting for landing.
If uncontrolled ask the airport "radio" for it. "Radio"is a term used for anyone monitoring.
