View Full Version : What is the lowest cruise altitude you have been assigned (for an extended period)
For all those who have been flying professionally for a number of years - just curious - what is the lowest cruise altitude you have been assigned for an extended period of time.
Already adding a twist to this post, one of our crews yesterday were held too high after requesting several times to descend out of a jetstream which was giving them a much lower groundspeed . It's not always beneficial to be higher............
BlueEagle
8th Nov 2002, 08:40
Descended to FL240 from Calcutta to Karachi, then we could climb, (B744, SIN-LHR).
Human Factor
8th Nov 2002, 10:04
BAH-LHR: Bahrain to Cyprus, held at FL260 rather than our planned (which was either FL350 or FL370) due to the guys going over the top from the Far East. Happens every time. Only cost us about a ton and a half!
OzExpat
8th Nov 2002, 10:35
Ummm, I dunno if this counts but, many MANY years ago, I was given an ATC requirement to cruise at 10,000 feet. This was passed to me just after take-off, when the initial clearance had been at 16,000 feet (for those who don't know, our FLs start at 210). My planned cruising altitude was a mere 500 feet above the highest Lowest Safe Altitude for that route.
This clearance meant I would 5,500 feet BELOW the IFR Lowest Safe Altitude! :eek: No, of course I didn't accept it!
Earthmover
8th Nov 2002, 10:46
FL260 instead of FL350 for nearly 2 hours coming back from N Africa to UK (before RVSM) Nearly sampled the delights of a restaurant in Bordeaux or Nantes before Brest (bless'em) responded to my pleas with "of course Monsieur!" a radar heading and a non-standard FL330. I also had a jetstream from 300/208kts - 80kts higher than forecast. It was Christmas, family waiting etc, and I have mentally smiled at the Brest controllers every time I've spoken to them since!
Lowest clearance: "Not above 500', and in sight of land or water". Lowest authorisation: "Not below 5 feet" It all depands on your terms of reference.
GlueBall
8th Nov 2002, 12:47
Three hours at FL 190 to burn off extra fuel, because maintenance had overfueled the airplane which would have put us over max landing weight at destination. Defueling was not an option at point of origin.
Squawk7777
8th Nov 2002, 23:51
Few months ago from ACK to BWI. It is not really a long leg - about 1.5 hours in our B200. Usually we get FL200-280 depending on the time of the day and traffic of course.
We didn't get more than 8000 and we had to fight for it!
Otherwise they would have re-routed us over ALB :rolleyes:
7 7 7 7
FL110 DUB-OSL in an MD80. Not ATC´s fault though, but a toiletservicecardriver in DUB who punched a hole in the aircrafts fuselage.
sleeper
10th Nov 2002, 21:22
B747, FL220 over the himalaya's with a full moon. This during and due to the gulfwar.
Sleeper