Absolute altitude is best described as which of the following?

• A. Height above mean sea level
• B. Height above the standard datum plane
• C. Height above the Earth's surface (above ground level)
• D. Height above the cockpit floor

Answer: (D)

Absolute altitude is the distance from the aircraft to the Earth’s surface directly beneath it. In other words, it’s height above ground level (AGL). This reference is tied to the terrain below, not to sea level or to any imaginary datum plane, and it has nothing to do with the cockpit interior. For example, if you’re over flat terrain at 1,000 feet above the ground, your absolute altitude is 1,000 feet.