Thank you for the informative posts. theory behind for us helps
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why climb "TO" FL? why descend "TO" FL? ("to" added)
why climb "" ft? why descend "" ft? ("to" omitted)
Both of the above are a product of lack of standardisation. 'TO' is ICAO standard. The examples below are taken from ICAO Telephony Manual. It is becoming common for ATC and aircrew to subtract 'TO' or to add the word 'altitude' to clearances and readbacks. This is not standard ICAO. Some might think it's a good idea, but it's not standard. Sounds a bit anal, but it really is worth sticking to the book, otherwise people go off on their own interpretation and you'll end up with limitless possibilities.
G-AB DESCEND TO FL 60
FASTAIR 345 CONTINUE CLIMB TO FL 330..........CLIMBING TO FL 330 FASTAIR 345
This is an issue with readbacks as well. Generally ATC try to say minimum R/T. Then aircrew journalise it. Not a good idea.
I assume being ex-caa, and the quoted example of "G-AB", "to" is not for all. reference CAA CAP413 affected 2013.
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP4132...0117928206.pdf
Chapter 3-1.2.3
- "However, care must be taken to ensure that misunderstandings are not generated as a consequence of the phraseology employed during these phases of flight. For example, levels may be reported as altitude, height or flight levels according to the phase of flight and the altimeter setting. Therefore, when passing level messages, the following conventions apply:
- a) The word 'to' is to be omitted from messages relating to FLIGHT LEVELS.
- b) All messages relating to an aircraft’s climb or descent to a HEIGHT or ALTITUDE employ the word 'to' followed immediately by the word HEIGHT or ALTITUDE. Furthermore, the initial message in any such RTF exchange will also include the appropriate QFE or QNH."
Break Break,
Decelerate and Expedite
Realistically, an analogy would be driving down hill, one cannot decelerate and steepen the descent, descent require transfers from potential energy into kinetic energy, as newton states the energy is not loss. Decelerate 210kts expedite descent just cannot be done at the same time.