Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

What are the standard temperature and pressure values for mean sea level?

1. 15 °F and 29.92" Hg

2. 59 °F and 29.92 mb

3. 60 °F and 30.00 in Hg

4. 58 °F and 1015 mb

The correct answer is: 59 °F and 29.92 mb

The standard temperature and pressure values for mean sea level are defined as a temperature of 59 °F (which is equivalent to 15 °C) and a pressure of 29.92 inches of mercury (Hg), or 1013.25 millibars (mb) in metric units. In this context, the pressure is often referred to in terms of inches of mercury since that's a common measurement familiar to pilots. The temperature is meaningful as it provides a reference for calculating altitude and performance characteristics of aircraft. Understanding these standard values is critical for pilots, as they serve as the basis for many calculations concerning aircraft performance, navigation, and atmospheric conditions. This also aids in converting between different units such as inches of mercury to millibars, which can be necessary depending on the context of the flight operation. Other options contain either incorrect temperature values, incorrect pressure units or misrepresent the standard values altogether. For instance, while options mentioning various temperatures aim to describe typical atmospheric conditions, they do not align with the defined standard values. Ensuring pilots are well-versed in these standardized references contributes greatly to safe and effective flight operations.