
MSL vs. AGL: What's the Difference? - Pilot Institute
Jul 20, 2023 · Above Ground Level (AGL): An aircraft’s height above the Earth’s surface directly beneath it. In other words, MSL tells you how high you are relative to sea level, while AGL tells you how high you are relative to the ground directly below.
Height above ground level - Wikipedia
In aviation, atmospheric sciences and broadcasting, a height above ground level (AGL [1] or HAGL) is a height measured with respect to the underlying ground surface. This is as opposed to height above mean sea level (AMSL or HAMSL), height above ellipsoid (HAE, as reported by a GPS receiver), or height above average terrain (AAT or HAAT, in ...
What is the difference between Above Ground Level and Above …
Jan 8, 2014 · The terms Above Ground Level and Above Field Elevation have two very different meanings but both are important altitudes to understand. Above Ground Level (AGL) is the altitude expressed in feet measured above the ground. Above Field elevation is the height measured above the highest point on the usable runway which is depicted on our charts.
The 6 Types of Altitude in Aviation (Airplane Pilots)
Feb 1, 2025 · Indicated altitude shows the altimeter reading, while true altitude refers to height above MSL. Absolute altitude measures height above ground, which is critical during approaches and landings. Pressure and density altitudes impact performance, while …
What’s the Difference Between MSL and AGL? Here’s How You …
Feb 20, 2020 · What is AGL? AGL stands for Above Ground Level and is basically the altitude measured from the ground directly below. Despite MSL being considered the “true” altitude, AGL is more commonly used in aviation.
Questions from the Cockpit: Where’s the other end of the tape …
Nov 17, 2022 · AGL, on the other hand, is the measurement of how high the airplane is above the terrain. Unlike the fixed MSL, AGL is a variable number that changes with the rising or falling MSL elevation of the ground below and flight path of the airplane through the sky above.
What's the difference between AGL and AMSL? - SkeyDrone Support
AGL (Above Ground Level) and AMSL (Above Mean Sea Level) are two different ways to measure altitude, and they are used in various contexts such as aviation, meteorology, and geography. Here's a detailed comparison: Definition: AGL measures the height of an object above the ground directly beneath it.
AGL Vs MSL: Meanings & Calculations (with Sample Questions)
May 8, 2024 · AGL, or above ground level, is the distance that an object is above the ground below it. For example, if you are standing on the roof of a building that is 100 feet tall, you are at 100 feet AGL. What is MSL? MSL, or mean sea level, refers to …
AGL vs MSL and Other Types of Altitude in Aviation
True altitude references height above mean sea level (MSL), while absolute altitude references height above ground level (AGL). Perhaps surprisingly, pilots spend most of their time concerned with true altitude. When correctly set, the aircraft’s altimeter reads true altitude.
Class E: 1200 AGL vs 700 AGL vs Surface - When does it matter?
Mar 21, 2025 · I was looking at VFR charts and thinking about the regions of Class E airspace where the floors are at 700 AGL or at surface level around certain (usually smaller) airports. I'm a low time PPL. I obviously know the regulatory differences between Class E and G airspace - visibility, cloud clearance, controlled/uncontrolled, etc.