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Pressure Altitude
The altitude shown on the altimeter when it is set to the standard pressure of 29.92 inHg (1013.2 hPa). In an unpressurized airplane, cabin altitude is generally close to pressure altitude; pressurized airplanes can keep cabin pressure altitude much lower than the airplane's altitude.
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Learn more in Private Pilot License →Related Terms
- Private Pilot CertificateThe FAA airman certificate that allows a pilot to act as pilot in command of an aircraft for personal and recreational flying, carrying passengers but not for compensation or hire. Under Part 61, applicants need at least 40 hours of flight time, required training, a knowledge test, and a practical test.
- Radio Station LicenseAn FCC radio station license that is part of the ARROW document mnemonic but is not an FAA requirement for domestic U.S. flights. It is typically required only for international operations; student pilots still learn it so they can explain why the second "R" rarely applies to everyday VFR training.
- Recent Flight ExperienceThe takeoff, landing, and instrument currency requirements in 14 CFR 61.57 that a pilot must meet to act as PIC in certain operations, especially when carrying passengers. Carrying passengers requires three takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days (to a full stop at night; see Night Currency). The flight review is required to act as PIC at all; recent flight experience additionally covers passenger-carrying and instrument privileges.
- Rectangular CourseA ground-reference maneuver flown around a rectangular ground path while correcting for wind to keep track parallel to the selected boundaries. Student pilots practice rectangular courses to build traffic-pattern discipline and commonly record them in logbook remarks with other pattern and stall work.