Scottish TMA Transition altitude question.

[Flap40]

Hi all,

Can someone with a long memory tell me if the Scottish TMA transition altitude has always been 6000ft or had it been different in the past?

I'm specifically interested in early 1973 if it makes any difference.

Thanks

[Numpo-Nigit]

Well, as nobody else has taken the bait, I trawled through my decaying memory banks.

I seem to recall that, around the early seventies, the transition altitude in the London TMA was 4000 ft, and everywhere else it was 3000 ft. I have no documentation to support this, but can certainly recall issuing SIDs out of Turnhouse with an initial climb to FL50, which seems to support my theory.

Now watch everybody prove me wrong !!!!

NN

[Findo]

I've asked someone who was valid on TMA from that period but he can't remember !!

Nobody seems to be able to find anything less than 6,000 ft but that is based on knowledge of SIDs. From memory I don't know if any Scottish SIDS were in force in 1973. I was at EGPF in 1974 / 5 when we still issued standard Airways clearances ... "cross Lanark and Talla FL70 Scottish Radar to xxx " or something therabouts. That might then have indicated a lower Transition Altitude similar to the FIR.

What has prompted the question so we might nudge a few grey cells ?

[Flap40]

My question was prompted bt the AIB report into the accident to BEA Viscount G-AOHI which hit Ben More in January 1973 whilst flying at FL40.
Knowing that the current TA is 6000ft I was just wondering if the TA used to be lower (hence the FL40 not 4000 Alt).

[Mr_Grubby]

I was valid Prestwick App. 1974 and Gailes Radar and ScATCC '78-82.
I dont think the transition altitude was ever as high as 6,000 feet. Maybe 3,000 but I can't be sure.

I do remember that Min Stack in the TMA was worked out to the nearest 500 feet. So we had traffic holding at the GOW, PWK, EDI at FL65, 75, 85 etc depending on the QNH. I never got use to that ! Is that still the case up there ?

Clint.

[BALIX]

I do remember that Min Stack in the TMA was worked out to the nearest 500 feet. So we had traffic holding at the GOW, PWK, EDI at FL65, 75, 85 etc depending on the QNH. I never got use to that ! Is that still the case up there ?

Nope - we got rid of that little quirk in (I think) the early nineties. The minimum stack level is now the first available 'standard' flight level above 6000ft which usually means FL70 or 80 but very occasionally FL90 or 60.