What term denotes the height or distance above a reference plane such as mean sea level or above ground level?

What term denotes the height or distance above a reference plane such as mean sea level or above ground level?

• A. Elevation
• B. Height
• C. Distance
• D. Altitude

Answer: (D)

Vertical distance relative to a reference surface is described by altitude. Altitude tells you how high something is measured against a reference plane, such as mean sea level or the ground beneath it. In aviation, altitude usually means height above mean sea level, though you can specify altitude above ground level (AGL) when the reference is the terrain below. Height is a more general term that doesn’t specify a reference plane, and elevation refers to how high the ground itself is above mean sea level, not how high an object is above that surface. Distance alone doesn’t convey a height relative to a reference plane.

Vertical distance relative to a reference surface is described by altitude. Altitude tells you how high something is measured against a reference plane, such as mean sea level or the ground beneath it. In aviation, altitude usually means height above mean sea level, though you can specify altitude above ground level (AGL) when the reference is the terrain below. Height is a more general term that doesn’t specify a reference plane, and elevation refers to how high the ground itself is above mean sea level, not how high an object is above that surface. Distance alone doesn’t convey a height relative to a reference plane.