Definition
The elevation of the highest point of the landing area of an aerodrome, measured in feet or meters above mean sea level. This is the official ICAO definition used internationally for charting, performance planning, and altimeter procedures.
Plain English
How high the airport is above sea level, measured at the highest point of its landing area.
Context Anchor
Seen in ICAO-style aeronautical information, airport data, and flight planning material when describing the elevation of an aerodrome.
Derivation
Aerodrome comes from the Greek 'aero-' (air) and 'dromos' (course or running track) — literally an 'air course.' ICAO and much of the world use 'aerodrome' where the U.S. typically uses 'airport.' Elevation comes from the Latin 'elevare,' meaning 'to lift up,' and here refers to height above sea level.
Why Pilots Care
It is used to compute density altitude, which directly affects takeoff distance, climb performance, and landing roll, and is required for safe go/no-go decisions.
Intuition Check
Do not assume aerodrome elevation is an average height for the whole airport. In the ICAO meaning, it is the height of the highest point of the landing area.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot checked the aerodrome elevation on the approach chart before calculating the landing distance required.
Example Sentence 2
At an aerodrome elevation of 4,500 feet the reduced air density required a longer takeoff roll than at sea level.