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QFE means the datum level is at airfield elevation. In this setting, the altimeter reads zero on the ground at the airfield where it flies from. In local circuit training and local soaring, the QFE is normally used. However, when the terrain surrounding the airfield is not level, the QFE setting does not guarantee a correct indication of the height above the ground. QFE is also useless if a circuit and land is planned at locations other than the home airfield, which is the reason you must be comfortable to circuit and land without reference to the altimeter. In addition, if a very long soaring flight is being made, the QFE levels at the take off time and the landing time can be different.
QNH means the datum level is at the mean sea level. This is a useful setting for cross country flights, because all the altitude values given on a chart are above mean sea level (with some exceptions such as obstacles above the ground, in which case a height above the ground is also quoted). It is possible to circuit, approach and land with QNH, which power pilots do(their standard instrumental terminal procedures involve checkpoints with altitudes prescribed in QNH), but the usefulness is limited in gliding as all operations are supposed to be under visual flight rules, and visual approaches rely little on knowing the absolute height above the ground.
STD is the setting where the sub-scale is adjusted to 1013hpa or 29.92in Hg. This setting shows flight levels. For example, FL55 is 5500ft when the altimeter is at the STD setting. This is useful if navigating at great altitudes or if attempting to avoid airspace.
