Question

before taking off, a pilot is supposed to set the aircraft altimeter to the elevation of the airport. a pilot leaves denver (altitude 5280 ft) with her altimeter set to 2792 feet. explain how this affects the altimeter readings throughout the flight.
choose the correct answer below
a. this is a systematic error. the plane will be 8072 feet too high to land in denver
b. this is a systematic error. all altitude readings will be about 2488 feet too low
c. this is a random error. sometimes altimeters set to random altitudes if not properly calibrated
d. this is a random error. the pilot made an unintentional and unpredictable mistake

Explanation:

A systematic error occurs when there is a consistent deviation from the true value. Here, the pilot set the altimeter to \(2792\) feet instead of the correct elevation of Denver \(5280\) feet. The difference \(5280 - 2792=2488\) feet. This means all altitude readings will be \(2488\) feet too low (since the altimeter was set too low initially). Random errors are unpredictable and non - consistent, which is not the case here as the error is a fixed difference due to incorrect initial setting.

Answer:

B. This is a systematic error. All altitude readings will be about 2488 feet too low.