Definition
The atmospheric pressure measured at a specific aerodrome's elevation (at the runway or touchdown zone). When set in the altimeter's Kollsman window, the altimeter will read zero feet when the aircraft is on the ground at that aerodrome, and will indicate height above that aerodrome elevation while in flight.
Plain English
A pressure setting that makes the altimeter read zero on the ground at a particular airport, so in the air the altimeter shows your height above that airport rather than your height above sea level.
Context Anchor
Pilots may see QFE in international procedures, air traffic control instructions, or altimeter-setting discussions outside normal U.S. practice.
Derivation
QFE is part of the Q-code system, a set of three-letter codes developed for radio communication in the early 1900s. The letters themselves don't stand for specific words; the code was simply assigned the meaning 'pressure at aerodrome elevation.' Knowing it's a code, not an acronym, helps avoid trying to decode the letters individually.
Why Pilots Care
Setting QFE lets the pilot know exact height above the airport, which is essential for safe pattern altitude, obstacle clearance on departure, and consistent landing references.
Grounding Statement
If the airplane is sitting on the runway and QFE for that runway is set, the altimeter should read zero.
Intuition Check
QFE is not the usual setting that makes the altimeter show the airport’s elevation above sea level. QFE makes the altimeter read zero at the selected airport or runway reference point.
Example Sentence 1
After landing at the foreign airfield, the pilot noticed the altimeter read zero, confirming the tower had passed QFE rather than QNH.
Example Sentence 2
On final approach the controller updated the QFE to account for a falling barometer.