AGL is an aviation term that stands for what?

AGL is an aviation term that stands for what?

• A. Above Geodetic Level
• B. Ground Level Above Elevation
• C. Above Ground Level
• D. Airport Elevation Level

Answer: (C)

AGL stands for altitude above ground level—the height of the aircraft above the surface directly beneath it. This measurement is relative to the terrain, not to sea level, and it’s what pilots use to gauge actual clearance over the ground. Why this is the best choice: it captures the precise meaning of AGL in aviation. It differs from elevation above sea level because the ground can be at varying heights; AGL tells you how much space you have before you hit the surface. You can find it by subtracting the ground elevation from your altitude above mean sea level (AGL = MSL altitude − ground elevation). For example, if you’re at 5,000 ft MSL over terrain that sits at 4,200 ft, you’re about 800 ft above the ground. The other phrases aren’t standard aviation terms for AGL, so they don’t describe the same concept.

AGL stands for altitude above ground level—the height of the aircraft above the surface directly beneath it. This measurement is relative to the terrain, not to sea level, and it’s what pilots use to gauge actual clearance over the ground.

Why this is the best choice: it captures the precise meaning of AGL in aviation. It differs from elevation above sea level because the ground can be at varying heights; AGL tells you how much space you have before you hit the surface. You can find it by subtracting the ground elevation from your altitude above mean sea level (AGL = MSL altitude − ground elevation). For example, if you’re at 5,000 ft MSL over terrain that sits at 4,200 ft, you’re about 800 ft above the ground.

The other phrases aren’t standard aviation terms for AGL, so they don’t describe the same concept.