The acronym AGL stands for which phrase?

• A. Above Ground Level
• B. Above Ground Limit
• C. Air Ground Level
• D. Altitude Ground Level

Answer: (A)

AGL is the height above the terrain directly beneath the aircraft. This measurement is different from altitude above mean sea level (MSL) because ground elevation changes from place to place, so AGL tells you how high you are over the actual surface you’re flying over. It’s used for practical reasons like obstacle clearance and altitude restrictions during approaches. For example, if you’re at 3,000 ft MSL and the ground beneath you is 2,000 ft MSL, you’re 1,000 ft AGL. The other phrases aren’t used to express height relative to the ground, so the standard term is “Above Ground Level.”