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For a given airfield the QFE is 980 hPa and the QNH is 1000 hPa. The approximate elevation of the airfield is…
(Barometric lapse rate: 27 ft/hPa)

  • A
    540 metres.
  • B
    600 metres.
  • C
    160 metres.
  • D
    120 metres.
QFE is the isobaric surface pressure at the reference point. With the aerodrome QFE set in the subscale, your altimeter will read zero on the highest point on the runway and at other altitudes will read the height above the airfield elevation.

QNH - The pressure set on the subscale of the altimeter so that the instrument indicates its height above sea level. The altimeter will read runway elevation when the aircraft is on the runway.

To determine airfield elevation, we have to calculate the difference between QNH and QFE.
We know that at MSL 1 hPa = 27 ft (8 m)

  • 1000 hPa - 980 hPa = 20 hPa
Note that answers are given in meters and not feet.

20 hPa x 8 m/hPa = 160 m

Note: According to the new syllabus (EASA 2020) a barometric lapse rate of 30 ft /hPa should be used (instead of 27 ft/hPa). However, if the question text indicates a different lapse rate, that is the one you are expected to use.

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