Altitude calls
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14
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From: Front Seat
Altitude calls
I would like to know the rules of the various regions on requirements for Altitude calls primarily with regard to cruise altitudes. My understanding is that the ICAO standard is that no reaching or leaving a cruise altitude while under SSR is required. In the Land of Oz, a departure from crise altitude is required. No calls are required in NZ. Would appreciate comments from you ATCO's for European, US and other areas. 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,155
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From: Fort Worth ARTCC ZFW
Hi BaldingEagle;
In the US the reports of level and reaching or leaving an altitude when in radar contact are not needed, however most of the airline part one manuals require the pilots to tell us. Now, if you are checking on from one facility ( not from one sector to another) then we are required to confirm your mode C for our facility. Other than that, we just use your mode C unless we REALLY need to use altitude separation and we don't want to wait the extra couple of seconds for the radar to let us know. You know how it is when you are running things tight and seconds count... <G>
regards
In the US the reports of level and reaching or leaving an altitude when in radar contact are not needed, however most of the airline part one manuals require the pilots to tell us. Now, if you are checking on from one facility ( not from one sector to another) then we are required to confirm your mode C for our facility. Other than that, we just use your mode C unless we REALLY need to use altitude separation and we don't want to wait the extra couple of seconds for the radar to let us know. You know how it is when you are running things tight and seconds count... <G>
regards
