During a cross-country flight, how often should you update the altimeter setting if not in contact with ATC?

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Multiple Choice

During a cross-country flight, how often should you update the altimeter setting if not in contact with ATC?

Explanation:
The main thing this question tests is keeping the altimeter reading accurate by using the current local pressure. The altimeter shows your altitude based on the atmospheric pressure setting you’ve dialed in. As you fly, pressure changes with weather and you move through different air masses, so if you don’t refresh the setting, your indicated altitude can drift. Updating the local QNH at least once an hour, when you’re not in contact with ATC, keeps the instrument aligned with the actual pressure near you. This helps you maintain correct altitude and safe terrain clearance. Updating less often could let pressure changes accumulate into larger altitude errors, while waiting only at departure or delaying updates for two hours increases the risk of inadvertent altitude deviations. If you can, pull the latest local QNH from weather sources (AWOS/ASOS, Flight Service, or nearby stations) and adjust accordingly.

The main thing this question tests is keeping the altimeter reading accurate by using the current local pressure. The altimeter shows your altitude based on the atmospheric pressure setting you’ve dialed in. As you fly, pressure changes with weather and you move through different air masses, so if you don’t refresh the setting, your indicated altitude can drift.

Updating the local QNH at least once an hour, when you’re not in contact with ATC, keeps the instrument aligned with the actual pressure near you. This helps you maintain correct altitude and safe terrain clearance. Updating less often could let pressure changes accumulate into larger altitude errors, while waiting only at departure or delaying updates for two hours increases the risk of inadvertent altitude deviations.

If you can, pull the latest local QNH from weather sources (AWOS/ASOS, Flight Service, or nearby stations) and adjust accordingly.

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