Which control on the flight deck captures the current pressure altitude from the flight control computer when engaged?

Which control on the flight deck captures the current pressure altitude from the flight control computer when engaged?

• A. ALT button on the FCP
• B. TOGA switch
• C. AP DISC switch
• D. Landing Gear Lever

Answer: (A)

The ALT button on the Flight Control Panel is used to capture the current pressure altitude as the altitude target. The flight control computer continuously measures the aircraft’s altitude from the air data system, and when you press ALT, that current value is stored as the active altitude for the autopilot/flight director to hold. This allows you to level off or hold exactly the altitude you’re at without manually dialing it in, and the system will maintain that captured altitude as long as altitude hold is engaged and you don’t change the target. The other controls have different roles: TOGA sets takeoff/go-around thrust and can engage the flight director in that mode; AP DISC disconnects the autopilot; the Landing Gear Lever controls gear deployment. None of these capture altitude.

The ALT button on the Flight Control Panel is used to capture the current pressure altitude as the altitude target. The flight control computer continuously measures the aircraft’s altitude from the air data system, and when you press ALT, that current value is stored as the active altitude for the autopilot/flight director to hold. This allows you to level off or hold exactly the altitude you’re at without manually dialing it in, and the system will maintain that captured altitude as long as altitude hold is engaged and you don’t change the target.

The other controls have different roles: TOGA sets takeoff/go-around thrust and can engage the flight director in that mode; AP DISC disconnects the autopilot; the Landing Gear Lever controls gear deployment. None of these capture altitude.