Freq change near TOC

[Four Seven Eleven]

We often have to transfer aircraft to the next frequency near top of climb. My question is, how much of a hassle is it for:

a) Multi crew ops
b) Single pilot ops

to have a frequency transfer within the last thousand feet before levelling off to cruise altitude?

[GoneWest]

I don't forsee a problem...aviate, navigate, communicate...leave the frequency change until the aeroplane is settled?????????

How about giving the "next" frequency shortly after initial contact (when airspace time allows) and allow them/us to tune it into standby...then it's just a button push!!

[Matthewjharvey]

I believe it helps to be able to do more than one thing at a time in this job.

[Hollow Blade]

Agree Greaser, but when you´re within 1000 feet from TOC, especially Sinlge Pilot High performance ops (even a Citation is certified Single pilot in the USA) you´re already doing more than 1 thing at the same time..there´s no set technique or procedure...but if I were the sole pilot flying a king, a cheyenne or even a bonanza, I would manage power, mixture and cooling adequately first, ATC can wait 30 more secs.
I would probably configure for cruise using a flow, then call ATC and then do the checklist..

[The man formerly known as]

4711 I assume you are an ATCO.

When I was doing my IR I wondered why the transfer always came at the top of the climb. It ws almost as if the controller knew when the busiest time in the cockpit would be. After 5 or 10 minutes of trimmed climb where a frequency change would be easy to handle the change comes when you are changing configuration and increasing the chance of an altitude bust.

Out of interest why do you need to handover at the top of the climb??

[eyeinthesky]

The man formerly known as: It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with handing over near TOC. It has more to do with where you are in relation to sector boundaries. If you are approaching the transfer of communication point then you will be transferred whether you are in level flight or not. Or you might be transferred when you are what we call 'clean' against any conflicting traffic. I would suggest that a SLIGHT delay while you sort the aircraft out is not a problem, but if you need to take 5 mins to do that then you need to improve your multi-tasking skills! I also experienced the single pilot IFR scenario you describe, but really wonder how much of a problem it is to twiddle a knob and hit the flipflop button. If in doing that you bust a level then you should probably have a bit more practice at doing several things at once!

Despite all of the above, I try hard to persuade some of my colleagues that the little guy single pilot in his PA34/31 etc is in more need of our help than the two guys in the A320 with three autopilots, but some of them don't see it that way.. <img src="frown.gif" border="0">