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At what altitude must the altimeter be set to 29.92 when climbing to cruising flight level?

  1. 14,000 feet MSL

  2. 18,000 feet MSL

  3. 24,000 feet MSL

  4. 30,000 feet MSL

The correct answer is: 18,000 feet MSL

The altimeter must be set to 29.92 inches of mercury when climbing to cruising flight levels at 18,000 feet mean sea level (MSL). This standard is in place because 18,000 feet marks the transition altitude where aircraft switch from using altimeters set to local pressure settings, which can vary from airport to airport, to a standardized pressure setting. At or below 18,000 feet, pilots adjust their altimeters to the current altimeter setting, as local atmospheric pressure can fluctuate due to weather conditions. However, once an aircraft reaches 18,000 feet, the air pressure is controlled nationally to simplify altitude reporting and maintain safety among aircraft. Setting the altimeter to 29.92 inches ensures uniformity and helps avoid altitude discrepancies between aircraft flying at the same level. This is crucial for safety in the National Airspace System, where thousands of aircraft may be operating simultaneously. Knowing this transition altitude helps pilots manage their altimeter settings and ensures proper altitude adherence in controlled airspace.