Hello,
I am a student pilot and want to make sure I understand how the altimeter works.
Lets say the location is Hanscom Field in Bedford, MA, airport elevation of 133 MSL. Local altimeter setting is 30.10 for current day.
The plane is on the tarmac before taxi. Altimeter is set to the correct setting of 30.10 and displays 133. So, in this local geographic area and in the current local airmass, at the theoretical 0 ft. MSL the outside air pressure is 30.10 inches Hg. The altimeter works by comparing the outside pressure at Hanscom field, through the static tube, to the 30.10 inches mercury pressure. Therefore, displaying the correct true, or MSL altitude, of 133 ft.
Is this explanation correct? Thanks.