Glossary of Aviation Terms | AGL

AGL | Paramount Business Jets

The term AGL, or above ground level, is interchangeable with absolute altitude, as they measure the same distance. It is the measured altitude of an aircraft above the underlying ground that it is flying over.

During approach and landing, a pilot will use this form of altitude in order to monitor the aircraft’s actual distance from the ground. In order to obtain this altitude on the altimeter, he or she requests the current surface pressure from the control tower to properly calibrate the altimeter.