In aviation, which term refers to the standard sea-level pressure used for flight levels above the transition altitude?

• A. QFE
• B. QNH
• C. QFF
• D. QNE

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that above the transition altitude, aircraft switch to a standard pressure setting so all flight levels are defined the same regardless of local weather. This standard setting corresponds to the standard sea‑level pressure, which is 1013.25 hPa (29.92 inHg). That reference is called QNE. Using QNE keeps flight levels consistent across regions, preventing variations in local pressure from affecting the vertical separation between aircraft. In contrast, other terms refer to local or field-related pressures used to indicate altitude above mean sea level (QNH) or field elevation (QFE), or a humidity-adjusted mean sea-level pressure used in different contexts (QFF), which are not used for flight levels above the transition altitude.