Barometric Pressure from ATIS has 6 digits, does not set altimeter correct

Agree. The altimeter should be read with only four digits. In the US, the decimal is after the second digit and it is often implied. The current altimeter in the sim is being read with six digits, and the decimal is being stated after the fourth digit. The last two digits are superfluous.

This is confusing to a pilot - we tend to listen carefully to the last two digits in real life, but those are now the third and fourth digit. So if we follow the last two digits as stated in the sim, we will set the wrong altimeter setting, which is dangerous.

Example - real life: “Altimeter three zero one three” = 30.13
Current sim: “Altimeter three zero one three decimal two five” = 30.13.25 (or 3013.25)

Pilot hears “decimal two five”, enters 30.25 in the Kolsman window. However, the actual altimeter setting is 30.13, so the altimeter reads 120 feet high and the aircraft is dangerously (120 feet) lower than they think.

This needs immediate attention.

3 Likes