Pressure
Prepared by
Prof\ Abdelhamid Khedr
Table of contents
Introduction
Definition of Pressure
Pressure Variations
Q Codes
Synoptic Charts and ISOBAR
INTRODUCTION
• The different pressure systems found across
the surface of the Earth play a primary role in
determining the Earth’s weather.
• Understanding pressure systems is central to
the understanding of weather, itself.
Atmospheric pressure
is the force per unit area exerted by the
molecules of air over a specific surface.
Measuring Atmospheric Pressure
Mercury Barometer
Measuring Atmospheric Pressure
This is the unit most widely used in aviation.
The Millibar may also be known as the Hectopascal.
some countries use inches of mercury the United States for example (inHg).
ISA pressure at MSL
• 1013.25 millibars (mb)
• 1013.25 hectopascals (hPa)
• 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg)
• 101,325 Newtons per square meter (N/m²)
• 760 millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
pressure varies horizontally, diurnally, and vertically
1- Diurnal variation of atmospheric pressure
This refers to the daily fluctuations in pressure that occur throughout the day
• Twelve-hour oscillation
Pressure tends to oscillate every 12 hours
• Two peaks and two troughs
two high pressure points (peaks)
and two low pressure points (troughs) in a day
• Timing of peaks and troughs
The Peaks typically occur around 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM,
while the Troughs occur around 4:00 PM and 4:00 AM
Magnitude of variation
• The difference between the high and low pressure
values is small
in temperate latitudes (about 1 hPa).
• but it's much more significant
in tropical and subtropical latitudes
(about 3 hPa).
Vertical Variations in Pressure
Up to 5000 feet the pressure decreases
at a rate of about 1 hPa for every 30 feet
This is called the pressure lapse rate
Above 5000 feet the air becomes thinner
and pressure decreases more slowly
The table below gives average pressure values for standard
Altitude levels in the atmosphere
vertical variation of atmospheric pressure
• the relationship between pressure and temperature
The diagram illustrates the relationship between
temperature, pressure, and altitude in three air columns:
one at the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) temperature,
one slightly warmer,
and one slightly colder.
• Pressure at the Base
All three columns have the same pressure at their base
• Density and Temperature
Cold air is denser than warm air
• Pressure and Altitude
– In a cold column,
pressure decreases more rapidly with altitude.
This means you'll reach a lower altitude for the same pressure
compared to the ISA column
– In a warm column,
pressure decreases less rapidly with altitude.
So, you'll reach a higher altitude for the same pressure compared
to the ISA column
Altimeter Corrections
• Pilots must consider temperature variations when using their
altimeters to determine their altitude:
• In colder air
the altimeter may indicate
a lower altitude than the actual altitude
In simpler terms,
for every 1 degree Celsius difference in
temperature,
the altitude will change by 120 FT
QFE, QNH, and QNE: A Comparison
• are aviation terms related to atmospheric pressure,
but they represent different reference levels.
QFE
• Meaning: Q-Feeder Elevation
• Reference Level: The elevation of the airfield itself.
• Usage: Pilots set their altimeters to QFE to get an accurate
indication of their height above the ground at that specific
airfield.
QNH
• Meaning: Q-Normal Height
• Reference Level: Mean Sea Level (MSL).
• Usage: QNH is used for standard atmospheric
pressure readings and is commonly used for
weather reporting and flight planning. It
allows for comparison of pressure readings at
different locations.
QNE
• Meaning: Q-No Elevation
• Reference Level: A standard pressure of 1013.25
hectopascals (hPa) or 29.92 inches of mercury
(inHg).
• Usage: QNE is primarily used for calibration
purposes and during flight planning. It provides a
standardized reference for altimeter settings,
especially when flying at high altitudes
Altitude, Height and Elevation
Altitude
is the Vertical Distance above Mean Sea Level
Height
is the Vertical Distance above Ground Level
Elevation
is the Vertical Distance a point or level on or affixed to the
surface of the ground measured to the mean sea level
Two Altimeter pressure settings, which are commonly
used, are QFE and QNH. The rules are:
When QFE is set on the altimeter Subscale, the altimeter reads:
1. ZERO when the aircraft is on the runway.
2. HEIGHT above the AIRFIELD when in flight.
and, When QNH is set on the altimeter Subscale, the altimeter reads :
1-ELEVATION of the AIRFIELD above Mean Sea Level. when
the aircraft is on the runway.
2. ALTITUDE of the AIRCRAFT when in flight.
We can say:
QNH = QFE + Elevation/30
Synoptic charts
are a type of weather map that provides overview of
meteorological conditions across a large geographical area
at a specific time
In which region do pressure variations have the least impact?
a) Tropics
b) Mid-latitudes
c) Polar regions
answers; C
ISOBAR
A line joining places of the same atmospheric
pressure (usually MSL pressure QFF)
The Pressure Gradient Force
A force exists which acts from the high pressure
regions (H) to the low pressure regions (L)
The spacing between isobars is indicative
of the relative strength of the pressure gradient force
• Closely spaced isobars
show a large change in the pressure
over a short distance, indicating
a large pressure gradient force;
this is common within Low pressure areas.
• Widely spaced isobars
show a small change in the pressure
over a large distance, indicating
a small pressure gradient force;
this is common within High pressure areas.
We have learned today
Introduction
Definition of Pressure
Pressure Variations
Q Codes
Synoptic Charts and ISOBAR
