Originally Posted by
ChrisJ800
Just listened to the ATC audio and wondering why they initially were directed to maintain 5000 then asked by ATC to climb to 6000. If traffic separation is needed shouldn't ATC ask the other aircraft to maneuver rather than the one with one engine inopp, especially to climb?
Firstly the performance difference between 5000 & 6000 is negligible even for a twin with an engine failure.
Secondly an initial climb to 5000 is SOP for departing aircraft. When runway 34 is in use, arriving aircraft from the north on the 'Boree' arrival are flying towards the airfield and are limited to 6000 on decent. When there are no conflicts, departing aircraft are then cleared above 5000 and arriving cleared below 6000. In this case there may have been an arriving aircraft already at 6000.