Plain English Meaning

The altitude you are at when you start a maneuver. You are expected to stay at that altitude during the maneuver and finish at the same altitude you started.

Full Definition

The altitude at which a maneuver is begun, used as the reference altitude that must be maintained throughout the maneuver and returned to upon its completion. In steep turns, the entry altitude is the altitude the pilot is expected to hold within a defined tolerance for the duration of the turn.

Context Anchor

Seen in maneuver training and instrument flying, especially when setting up and evaluating steep turns.

Why Pilots Care

Choosing the correct entry altitude keeps the maneuver safe by ensuring room to recover without descending into terrain.

Intuition Check

Do not read “entry altitude” as a special assigned altitude or a charted altitude. Here it means the altitude at which you enter, or begin, the maneuver.