Altitude above sea level is a measure of the vertical distance between a specific point on the Earth’s surface and mean sea level (MSL). It’s an important parameter in aircraft design and aviation, as it affects aircraft performance, navigation, and safety.
The formula to calculate altitude above sea level is derived from atmospheric pressure and is as follows:
- “T0” is the standard temperature at sea level, approximately 288.15 kelvin (K).
- “L” is the temperature lapse rate, which is the rate at which temperature decreases with altitude (usually assumed as -0.0065 K/m in the troposphere).
- “P0” is the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level, approximately 101,325 pascals (Pa) .
- “P” is the actual atmospheric pressure at the given altitude (in pascals, Pa).