What does the Altimeter Display show?

The altimeter display provides crucial information about the aircraft's altitude relative to a standard reference. Specifically, it shows the barometric corrected altitude, meaning it reflects the altitude based on local atmospheric pressure adjusted to sea level pressure. This is fundamental for pilots to maintain proper altitude during flight, ensure safety in airspace, and adhere to air traffic control regulations.

Barometric altimeters work by measuring the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere, which decreases as altitude increases. The altimeter converts this pressure reading into an altitude measure, allowing pilots to gauge their height above sea level accurately. It's essential for navigation and controlling the aircraft's ascend or descend rate relative to a specific altitude.

In contrast, options that indicate rate of climb or different airspeeds relate to different functions and instruments within the aircraft, such as the vertical speed indicator (which tracks climb or descent rate) and various speed indicators for airspeed measurements. These instruments have separate specific purposes and do not provide altitude information, making them relevant but not applicable to the function of the altimeter display.