Altitude Clearances

[scoby]

Interesting point raised in latest CHIRP (Jan 2001) about subsequent level clearances, having previously been given a 'level by XYZ' restriction - e.g. FL160 level by Bexil and then QSY'd. Do the instructions from the next controller still imply that the restriction exists?

My understanding was that (for inbound aircraft) if you are given clearance to a lower level - let's say FL140 - you are cleared immediately to that level, so you may cross the resticted point lower, but still must not cross it high. So to cross Bexil anywhere between FL160 and FL140 (or lower if cleared) is fine, but above FL160 is not. For outbound aircraft the situation is reversed.

Do you agree, or should controllers technically re-iterate the restriction, if necessary, with every instruction (seems a bit long winded) as per the comment in CHIRP?

[Hew Jampton]

It's all quite clear (in the UK): unless the original restriction is restated as part of a second instruction/clearance/restriction, it no longer applies. The second instruction/clearance/restriction can be on the same or a new frequency. A common sense qualifier to this I can think of is something like "Remain clear of controlled airspace, call 123.45". Clearly a restriction like that still applies until cleared otherwise.



[This message has been edited by Hew Jampton (edited 30 January 2001).]