How to Use a Handheld Altimeter on a Plane

Consult your handheld altimeter's instruction manual to determine whether it is a standard altimeter or a barometric altimeter. If you are flying a model plane with a built-in altimeter, it will most likely be a standard altimeter. Determining which type of altimeter you are using is crucial for obtaining accurate altitude readings.

Calibrate your altimeter. This is accomplished by setting your altimeter to a known altitude. First, place your altimeter in the location of the altitude, then hold down the calibrate button and toggle through the numbers until you reach the correct altitude. Altitudes can be located online (see References).

Fly your model plane or airplane with the altimeter or altimeter sensor attached. Model planes with altimeters come with on-board sensors that send data back to a handheld device, while altimeters can simply be held in your hand when flying in a plane.

Read the altitude off the altimeter when the plane has reached a steady height. The altimeter can be digital or analog. Digital altimeters simply list the altitude in numerical form, while analog altimeters display the altitude by a hand pointing to the corresponding numbers.

Decode your reading by applying it to the standard or barometric altimeter guide. The reading for standard altimeters will be the altitude of the bottom of the plane from the ground directly below it, while the reading for barometric altimeters will be the altitude of the plane from sea level.