wrote:
i'm studying for my private license and i am a bit confused about this
high to low, look out below. the way I see it:

imagine an altimeter sitting at sea level. lets say the atomspheric
pressure at the location of the altimeter is "10" (no units, just for
simplicity). now lets say you set the altimeter to "10". so now the
altimeter reads "0 feet"

now decrease the temperature of the air surrounding the altimeter, and
since the colder air gets the more dense it gets, the atmospheric
pressure goes up. the altimeter doesnt know this. all it sees is an
increase in pressure, which it thinks means an decrease in altitude,
so it indicates say "-10 feet". this is directly contrary to the
"high to low look out below" because the altimeter is telling you you
are 10 feet lower than you are, which is not what that saying is
implying.

SO WHATS THE DEAL?

You are arbitrarily changing the pressure due to decreased temperature. IF
that actually happens you are correct. But temperature can decrease without
increased pressure. That's why "cold or low, look out below" is correct.
If everything else stays the same except temperature drops, you will be
lower than indicated. If only the pressure drops, you will be lower than
indicted. If both decrease you will be much lower than indicated. If one
drops and the other increases, ??????,

You are overthinking the problem.

--

Darrell R. Schmidt
B-58 Hustler History: http://members.cox.net/dschmidt1/
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