QFE
Transportation & Travel abbreviation · Aviation
| Stands for | Altimeter setting giving height above the airfield (Q code) |
|---|---|
| Categories | Transportation & Travel |
QFE stands for Altimeter setting giving height above the airfield (Q code), an aviation abbreviation.
Pressure setting that makes the altimeter read zero on the runway, so in flight it shows height above the airfield rather than above sea level. QFE is used by some military units and many glider clubs, particularly in the United Kingdom.
Example: The gliding club briefed circuits on QFE 1002, so the altimeter showed 1,000 feet on downwind.
Usage notes
Most commercial aviation now uses QNH for approaches in line with ICAO practice, and QFE is almost unknown in North America. Mixing the two produces an altitude error equal to the airfield elevation, harmless at a coastal airfield but dangerous at a high one. Like QNH, the letters come from the Morse-era Q code.
Related abbreviations
More aviation abbreviations
- PAX – Passengers
- PFD – Primary flight display
- PIC – Pilot in command
- PIREP – Pilot report
- POH – Pilot's operating handbook
- PPL – Private pilot license
- QNH – Altimeter setting giving altitude above mean sea level (Q code)
- RA – Resolution advisory
- RNAV – Area navigation
- RNP – Required navigation performance
- RPM – Revenue passenger miles
- RVR – Runway visual range