What is altimeter?
The aircraft altimeter is essentially an aneroid barometer calibrated to measure altitude instead of pressure.
Pressure is transmitted to the instrument through a static pressure port mounted on the side of the aircraft, so the altimeter continuously reads the surrounding static pressure. Static pressure changes as the aircraft ascends or descends, indicated on the instrument as the altitude changes.
Function
An aircraft altimeter exists to indicate altitude.
Air traffic control forwards altimeter (pressure) settings to pilots in the local area to ensure pilots are using the same datum.
This is especially important in instrument flight rules where separation responsibility rests with ATC and in areas with hilly terrain or obstacles where safe distances are tighter.
The altimeter works like a barometer, detecting the pressure difference from the standard (29.92 in-Hg, aka absolute pressure) using a static system.
The altimeter can be calibrated for non-standard pressure by changing the pressure setting in the Kollsman/Altimeter settings window.
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