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Radar altimeter gets altitude information by bouncing a radio wave off the surface of the Earth and determines the aircrafts altitude by measuring the length of time it takes for the signal to return.

Barometric altimeters get altitude information by measuring the barometric air pressure outside the aircraft. Barometric pressure decreases as altitude increases.

Radar altimeters will give altitude above ground level while barometric altimeters give altitude above sea level.

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Q: What is the difference between a radar altimeter and a barometric altimeter?
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What is measured by an altimeter?

An altimeter does not actually measure altitude directly, but rather just atmospheric pressure. So an altimeter is actually a barometer created for a specific purpose. See related link The altimeter measures the height above the ground and has a pointer which is adjustable depending in which air field you are taking off on. it measures the pressure of the air as you get higher off the ground the pressure reduces therefore it is able to determine your height above ground.


What is the difference between radar identification and radar contact?

Radar identified refers to your aircraft's position presented on a ground based radar screen and by using a squawk code in the aircraft which corresponds to the ground based station your aircraft is then identified. Radar control refers to an aircraft already identified on the radar screen and flying in controlled airspace under an IFR flight plan and the ground based station would provide heading, speed and altitude you should fly at.


May non radar tower controller use radar separtion between departure aircraft?

No. They don't have a radar repeater. Strictly visual.


What is the difference between radar level measurement and ultrasonic level measurement?

Radar is based on Microwave and detects the change in dielectric constant where as Ultrasonic is based on Sound Wave at high frequency (Ultrasonic Wave) and detects change in density of medium. Based on performance and accuracy Radar is a better solution than Ultrasonic. However for lower range liquid application ultrasonic is a cost effective solution. hope this is useful for you!


What does Ka mean on a radar?

It is a carrier Frequency Band between 26.5GHz and 40GHz

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What is the difference between working principal of a radio altimeter and radar altimeter?

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Is an instrument used especially in an aircraft for meausuring altitude?

Yes, it is called an altimeter. There are two types: pressure and radar. Pressure altimeters use barometric pressure to calculate height above sea level or MSL. Radar Altimeters use Radio signals to calculate height above ground level. They are usually only used during approach to landing and are rarely found on lighter aircraft.


How can height of flying airplane be determined?

In the plane, the pilot is advised of his altitude by means of an altimeter. The altimeter registers height by sensing the barometric pressure at the altitude at which the plane is flying. This is done by a pi tot (pronounced "pee tot") tube assemble mounted to the outside of the plane. The tube samples the air outside the plane and the altimeter basis it's reading on this information. However, the pilot must set his altimeter base line from information from the weather service prior to flight and be aware any changes during flight. Another means of determining aircraft altitude is with RADAR. RADAR is sound waves sent out from a broadcast antennae and is bounced off an object in the air. by calculating the time it takes to get a "return" signal man or machine can tell height, distance, number, and size.


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Laser detectors detect laser speed devices and Radar detectors detect radar speed devices.Unfortunately it's usually too late when they detect Lasers.