Will a normally operating Radio Altimeter read a negative altitude when the aircraft is on the ground?

Will a normally operating Radio Altimeter read a negative altitude when the aircraft is on the ground?

• A. True
• B. False

Answer: (A)

A normally operating Radio Altimeter will not read a negative altitude when the aircraft is on the ground. Instead, it is designed to measure the height above the ground, essentially providing an altitude reading that indicates how far above the surface the aircraft is located. When the aircraft is on the ground, the Radio Altimeter should read zero feet, reflecting that the aircraft is in direct contact with the surface. If it were to read a negative altitude, it would imply that the aircraft is below ground level, which is not possible and would indicate a malfunction or a misreading by the altimeter. Therefore, the correct answer is that a normally operating Radio Altimeter does not read a negative altitude when the aircraft is on the ground, affirming the idea that it provides accurate readings of elevation above ground level.

A normally operating Radio Altimeter will not read a negative altitude when the aircraft is on the ground. Instead, it is designed to measure the height above the ground, essentially providing an altitude reading that indicates how far above the surface the aircraft is located.

When the aircraft is on the ground, the Radio Altimeter should read zero feet, reflecting that the aircraft is in direct contact with the surface. If it were to read a negative altitude, it would imply that the aircraft is below ground level, which is not possible and would indicate a malfunction or a misreading by the altimeter.

Therefore, the correct answer is that a normally operating Radio Altimeter does not read a negative altitude when the aircraft is on the ground, affirming the idea that it provides accurate readings of elevation above ground level.