View Poll Results: On a fine day VFR flight, what offset from cruise height do you use?
Voters: 65. This poll is closed
Most popular cruising altitudes
Avoid imitations
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More than once I've been directed to "make best speed" in the approach pattern then been told to slow down on the ILS because I was catching the airliner ahead. 
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As was said before, and it is still true, the poll supposes (or fails to ask) a lot.
There are, depending on location, many regulations that will limit what altitudes are 'available', there are terrain issues, winds, and on it goes.
I will add my +1 to the comments that good situational awareness that uses all assets (ATC, TCAS/TCAD, radio in and out, lookout, airspace knowledge) is necessary for traffic avoidance. Cruise height choice is just one link in a long chain.
Sometimes it's just a pleasure to do something different when the opportunity presents itself. On a dreary, grey day file and get up on top to see the sun just because you can. Easier in a jet but there are days when even us rotary guys can do it. Or if the daily grind is IFR, then do a min VFR height transit and pull out a paper map.
It is amazing how much pleasure the job used to have, that can be refound with a little effort and an open mind.
There are, depending on location, many regulations that will limit what altitudes are 'available', there are terrain issues, winds, and on it goes.
I will add my +1 to the comments that good situational awareness that uses all assets (ATC, TCAS/TCAD, radio in and out, lookout, airspace knowledge) is necessary for traffic avoidance. Cruise height choice is just one link in a long chain.
Sometimes it's just a pleasure to do something different when the opportunity presents itself. On a dreary, grey day file and get up on top to see the sun just because you can. Easier in a jet but there are days when even us rotary guys can do it. Or if the daily grind is IFR, then do a min VFR height transit and pull out a paper map.
It is amazing how much pleasure the job used to have, that can be refound with a little effort and an open mind.
Chief Bottle Washer
Since it seems there is some confusion in what is being asked here, and PPRuNe has a limit on what can be asked in a poll question, the OP is seeking a response to establish by what difference you avoid (or don't avoid) cruising at a specific height on a clear VFR flight.
Not what actual height you choose to fly.
Not which direction you are flying.
Not what is the terrain clearance.
Just by how many 100's of feet you may choose to avoid a semi-circular or quadrantal cruise altitude, to reduce the risk of meeting someone else at the same height.
The OP requested a random order to avoid the donkey vote: I think! Since a poll keeps bumping the thread to the top of the forum with every vote I have put a limit and the poll will close next Wednesday,
Not what actual height you choose to fly.
Not which direction you are flying.
Not what is the terrain clearance.
Just by how many 100's of feet you may choose to avoid a semi-circular or quadrantal cruise altitude, to reduce the risk of meeting someone else at the same height.
The OP requested a random order to avoid the donkey vote: I think! Since a poll keeps bumping the thread to the top of the forum with every vote I have put a limit and the poll will close next Wednesday,
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SP, thanks for the clarification. But still, the OP seems lacking if real information is desired.
In the jurisdictions where I have flown, a VFR quadrantal is not an even 1000', that would be an IFR altitude. The 500' offset up from that is the preferred (prescribed) altitude. I know, telling you what you already know, but stating it for the sake of the other readers. I do not know what the current European view on these things is.
My advice about SA was to address the implication that a poll like this could establish what a good deconfliction offset is.
In the jurisdictions where I have flown, a VFR quadrantal is not an even 1000', that would be an IFR altitude. The 500' offset up from that is the preferred (prescribed) altitude. I know, telling you what you already know, but stating it for the sake of the other readers. I do not know what the current European view on these things is.
My advice about SA was to address the implication that a poll like this could establish what a good deconfliction offset is.
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Being one that would generally follow the quadrantals even below transition altitude and therefore 'long transit' at 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 or 3,000 depending on heading and/or terrain, this thread is quite an eye opener, (especially as i thought that we all generally followed the same thought, with a 500' seperation in mind).
It seems that I might as well pick a height for the best view for the day, switch all the lights on and hope peeled eyes and the TCAD show where everyone else is
Just because you don't have to doesn't mean you shouldn't!
It seems that I might as well pick a height for the best view for the day, switch all the lights on and hope peeled eyes and the TCAD show where everyone else is
Just because you don't have to doesn't mean you shouldn't!
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I concur SS, I seemed to remember the rules over there were slightly different but the idea is the same. The guidance was put in place for a reason: all regulations were written in blood.
Stay safe out there
Stay safe out there
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I didn't vote. I have no real preference. I find the best groundspeed and fly there. I don't really care how far off the prescribed altitude it is, nor the direction. OTOH, if I do go above 3000' AGL, regulations do prescribe the altitude I'm to fly, and I maintain that. Below 3000' AGL, it's entirely random for me. Depends on the winds, the height of the buzzards and hawks, and how I feel at the moment.
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Did I miss or misunderstand something?
If my planned or nominated altitude was to be 2000ft, the poll doesn't allow me to vote for zero (000ft) deviation because I flew at that altitude - is that right?
Curiously yours...
22
If my planned or nominated altitude was to be 2000ft, the poll doesn't allow me to vote for zero (000ft) deviation because I flew at that altitude - is that right?
Curiously yours...
22
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1500ft plus, why would you fly lower? If it all goes to rat****, you need a few seconds to figure it out.
Last edited by Vortex what...ouch!; 23rd Apr 2013 at 22:31.
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Did I miss or misunderstand something?
If my planned or nominated altitude was to be 2000ft, the poll doesn't allow me to vote for zero (000ft) deviation because I flew at that altitude - is that right?
If my planned or nominated altitude was to be 2000ft, the poll doesn't allow me to vote for zero (000ft) deviation because I flew at that altitude - is that right?
But as before with x country wind is everything. Into wind, usually be on the deck keep straight - read a book and pop up a couple of hours or so later at the ETA of being able to ID a known position, sometimes you will find a pressure wave down low which needs avoiding, and downwind in these parts it is either 300 to 500 agl or 1700 to 2200 agl is quite usual where a small pressure wave can be found.
Though there is one area not far from here where very strong Sou Eaters can be found during winter time at between 5000 and 6500 at 50 to 70 knots and about 200 x 150 nautical miles in extent. They have brought plenty of F/W undone. That sort of local knowledge was always passed on from the local FSU when we had them, now people find out the hard way because it usually isn't on the forecast.
tet
Avoid imitations
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Being one that would generally follow the quadrantals even below transition altitude and therefore 'long transit' at 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 or 3,000 depending on heading and/or terrain, this thread is quite an eye opener, (especially as i thought that we all generally followed the same thought, with a 500' seperation in mind).
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
The Quadrantal rule doesn't apply below 3,000 feet so you shouldn't be too surprised if you don't find anyone else complying with it.
It was just something to hang my hat on. Judging by some of the posts here, I shall go and refresh my low level engine off skills
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It was just something to hang my hat on. Judging by some of the posts here, I shall go and refresh my low level engine off skills 
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Tet, I said refresh, not learn, thanks 
Avoid imitations
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I was always told by my heli mentors that anything over 500 AGL was nose-bleed territory for chopper jocks.
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Tet, I said refresh, not learn, thanks 
I was always told by my heli mentors that anything over 500 AGL was nose-bleed territory for chopper jocks.
For a long time this winter it was IMC and in the icing layer, too!
cheers tet