What is the pressure scheduling rule for altitude ranges?

What is the pressure scheduling rule for altitude ranges?

• A. SFC - 8k: ambient; 8k - 23k: 8k +/- 1k; >23k: (alt-6)/2 +/- 2k
• B. SFC - 8k: ambient; 8k - 23k: 6k +/- 2k; >23k: (alt-5)/2 +/- 3k
• C. SFC - 8k: ambient; 8k - 23k: 8k +/- 2k; >23k: (alt-4)/2 +/- 1k
• D. SFC - 8k: ambient; 8k - 23k: 7k +/- 1k; >23k: (alt-7)/2 +/- 2k

Answer: (A)

Pressure scheduling guides how the cockpit pressure is set as you climb, keeping the crew comfortable and within structural limits. The pattern starts with ambient pressure below 8,000 feet, then shifts to a near-8,000-foot pressure with a small tolerance as you rise through the 8,000 to 23,000-foot range, and finally uses a gradually scaling target above 23,000 feet to avoid abrupt changes. This rule matches that approach: from the surface up to 8,000 feet you stay at ambient; from 8,000 to 23,000 feet you target about 8,000-foot pressure with a ±1,000-foot tolerance; and above 23,000 feet you use a schedule based on (altitude minus 6) divided by 2, with a ±2,000-foot tolerance. This combination provides a smooth transition through the altitude regimes and keeps pressure changes within safe, predictable bounds. The other options modify the mid-range target, the tolerances, or the high-altitude formula, which would lead to inconsistent or unsafe pressure changes across altitude and do not fit the standard scheduling method.

Pressure scheduling guides how the cockpit pressure is set as you climb, keeping the crew comfortable and within structural limits. The pattern starts with ambient pressure below 8,000 feet, then shifts to a near-8,000-foot pressure with a small tolerance as you rise through the 8,000 to 23,000-foot range, and finally uses a gradually scaling target above 23,000 feet to avoid abrupt changes.

This rule matches that approach: from the surface up to 8,000 feet you stay at ambient; from 8,000 to 23,000 feet you target about 8,000-foot pressure with a ±1,000-foot tolerance; and above 23,000 feet you use a schedule based on (altitude minus 6) divided by 2, with a ±2,000-foot tolerance. This combination provides a smooth transition through the altitude regimes and keeps pressure changes within safe, predictable bounds.

The other options modify the mid-range target, the tolerances, or the high-altitude formula, which would lead to inconsistent or unsafe pressure changes across altitude and do not fit the standard scheduling method.