Approaching FL??

[No speed Restriction]

This is one for you TCAS equipped folks out there.....
Why is it when ATC are busy you insist on letting the ATCO know you are approaching your cleared level? I appreciate that this sometimes expedites your climb by reminding the ATCO to climb you but ..........and here's the rub......why do you do it when you can see there is traffic one thousand feet above your level on TCAS? Many a time an aircraft will report approaching FLXXX only to be told to "maintain FLXXX traffic one thousand feet above your cleared level"......you then reply "yes we've got him on TCAS" ....WHY ? This is not only a big waste of time but inherrently dangerous and could encourage an already busy ATCO to "go for the climb"..please next time think before you speak, if there is nothing there fine, let us know but otherewise don't bother.

Steps down from soapbox......

[traveler]

Point taken.
We do mostly want to continue climbing, flying our machines as efficient as possible, and are sometimes wondering if you notice us reaching that level. So apologies here for the leading statements.
On the other hand two point to consider. 1. Airlaw: when an aircraft has been cleared to climb or descent to another flight level, the aircraft shall report both leaving the previously assigned level and reaching the cleared flight level. and 2. On another tread you can read the inaccuracies of the TCAS system. Don't always assume we see it, and we are human too.

[Grandad Flyer]

Well anyone who can see a conflicting aircraft on TCAS should know better. BUT... I suspect the reason most people call is that probably around 75-85% of the time further climb IS then given. If you don't report then you sit there waiting, watching the engines spool back again, and then you get the climb, and the engines have to spool up again.
So in general its worth the call to save the wear and tear on the engine.

[ManaAdaSystem]

Traveler,

In most European countries you do not have to report reaching FL. Amsterdam FIR is an exception to the rule.

[Arkroyal]

Oh, and to be just a little pedantic, No speed, the terminology is 'reaching' a FL, as traveler says, rather than 'appraching'.

Not all shiny jets have TCAS yet. Ours are all fitted for but very few have all the software in place, so it's still white sticks for some!

Steps down and falls over soap box. http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/tongue.gif

[No speed Restriction]

Arkroyal,

Just to be a little pedantic back, most crews DO say approaching FL whether that is right or not!

[AffirmBrest]

I don't

:)

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...proceeding below Decision Height WITH CAUTION...