How do planes know the exact altitude ?

Subject: How do planes know the exact altitude ?

Date: Fri May 30 19:32:43 1997
Posted by Bouhon Christophe
Grade level: other
School: University of Liege
City: Liege State/Province: Liege
Country: Belgium
Area of science: Physics
ID: 865038763.Ph

Message:

I guess it is based on the atmospheric pressure but how do they know if a change of pressure is due to :
 - a change in altitude
 - a change of the weather's conditions (Low pressure or high pressure due to an anticyclone for example)

Re: How do planes know the exact altitude ?

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