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How to Set QFE in Altimeter

In aviation, an aircraft's altimeter tells the pilot her altitude based on the air pressure sensed at the aircraft's current location. Pilots generally calibrate their altimeters to tell them their altitude above sea level by setting known or calculated sea level pressure in the altimeter as the reference point. However, there are times when a pilot instead wants to know her height above the ground at a specific airport. QFE, or "Queen's Field Elevation," is the traditional term for this type of altimeter setting.

Instructions

On the Ground
- 1
  Determine whether you will need to increase or decrease the reference pressure set in the window by observing the current altitude displayed. If it is below zero feet, you'll have to increase the pressure. If it's above zero feet, as it generally should be, you'll have to decrease the pressure.
- 2
  Reduce the reference pressure, assuming you're higher than sea level, until the altimeter reads exactly zero feet. QFE is now set in your altimeter.
- 3
  Read the reference pressure you ended up with in order to make the altitude read zero. This is the QFE pressure for the current meteorological conditions.
In The Air
- 4
  Subtract known field elevation from the altitude on your altimeter. For example, if the field is 1,000 feet above sea level and you're flying at 4,000 feet above sea level, you get 3,000 feet. This is your height above the ground.
- 5
  Reduce the reference pressure in the altimeter until the altimeter reads exactly the height above ground from the previous step. QFE is now set in your altimeter.
- 6
  Read the reference pressure you ended up with in order to make the altitude on the altimeter match your height above the ground. This is the QFE pressure for current meteorological conditions.

Aviation