Fireflybob....
You are taking the pith, I atthume?!!
reaching FLXX is not definitive.... it implies that as yet you have not reached it!! It still does not tell the controller that you are at the level, it means little or nowt to a contriller.
If you were given a climb of say 15000 feet, when would you say you were 'reaching' your level? 200' to go, 500', 1000'??
'Reaching' is one of those annoying phrases that airline pilots who are given a climb to an intermediate level like to use to try to get continuous climb. I usually answer with the phrase "I do have a RADAR, thank you very much" if I have the time. Particularly Iberia pilots from EGLL I have noticed
Wilco is not needed as a full readback of the climb instruction is required (mandatory readback). Wilco is used for request/instructions that do not have a safety implication and do not need a mandatory readback. For example a male pilot is being controlled by his ATCO wife... it could go like this...
"Tower, could you please make sure my dinner is ready when I get back"
"Wilco (mutter mutter mutter)"
