Definition
The vertical height of a fixed point on the ground, such as an airport or runway, measured in feet above mean sea level (MSL).
Plain English
How high a place on the ground sits above average sea level.
Context Anchor
Seen in airport information and traffic pattern planning, especially when figuring the altitude to fly around an airport.
Derivation
From the Latin elevare, meaning 'to lift up' or 'raise.' In aviation it refers to how far the ground itself has been 'lifted' above sea level.
Why Pilots Care
Traffic pattern altitude is calculated by adding 1000 feet to the published airport elevation, ensuring consistent separation from terrain and other aircraft.
Intuition Check
Do not assume elevation means height above the runway or nearby ground. In airport use, elevation usually means height above mean sea level.
Example Sentence 1
The airport elevation is 1,250 feet, so the standard traffic pattern altitude is 2,250 feet MSL.
Example Sentence 2
Runway 18 has an elevation of 1200 feet MSL, so the pilot flew the pattern at 2200 feet.