FL80 over Amsterdam

[bookworm]

I filed westbound over Amsterdam at FL80 on L980 (RKN FLEVO PAM GORLO) yesterday afternoon (unpressurised light twin). On all previous occasions, Langen handed me to Amsterdam, who subsequently asked me if I was able FL100 over the TMA (I usually was). Yesterday, Langen handed me to Dutch Mil, who sent me straight to Schiphol Approach. There was no request for a higher level, and I didn't volunteer one. And as far as it's possible to tell from RT, the sectors didn't seem very busy, but there were a couple of EHAM departures stepped at FL70 as they passed southbound beneath.

Has anything changed as far as handling overflying traffic goes? Is FL100 still easier than FL80/90?

[criss]

Probably you have the answer already in your post. When it's busy, APP might not fancy an overflight at FL80 getting in the path of departures and arrivals. But if it was quiet, there was no reason to ask you to change your routing/level. ATC usually tries to let you fly as you planned, and a good controller will appreaciate the fact it might be inconvenient to climb you in your type of a/c.

[Ididntdoit]

Not sure if this has anything to do with it, but since 11th March 2010 the airspace between Frankfurt and Amsterdam has been reorganised under a project called AMRUFRA ( AMsterdam, RUhr, FRAnkfurt) with the aim being to streamline traffic flows between sectors.
I canīt find much about it on the web, maybe the DFS or LVNL websiites will have some information.

[Surferboy]

It's always depending traffic, and RWY combinations. In this particular case it didn't make a difference if you would be at FL080 or FL100. But in a lot of other cases it can make quite a significant difference!

[bookworm]

Thanks folks. Always happy to consider a change of level to avoid extra ATC work, and similarly, I really appreciate the effort that Amsterdam (and others) go to to make it work when weather restricts my rather limited options.