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. ;)

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.

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,

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.

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 :eek:

Just because you don't have to doesn't mean you shouldn't!

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

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.

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

1500ft plus, why would you fly lower? If it all goes to rat****, you need a few seconds to figure it out.

I typically fly 500ft agl

M.

Between 500 and 1000 ft. Agl depending on winds .

I'm with you, in CTA which is seldom, I fly the numbers, that way I can find other traffic in front of me at the correct height, by drifting down a tad I'll have them instantly on the horizon, if others are given me as traffic from behind me, I'll just drift up a tad fifty is all it takes for them to see me, then back on line.

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

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. Many light fixed wing (SEP) pilots will fly at 2,000 feet simply because that's what they're often taught to do, irrespective of track. Worth bearing in mind that you fly on an AOC where the 1,000 foot and 500 foot rules don't apply - but other pilots will have different priorities when it comes to choosing a cruise altitude.

As its only recommended for VFR flights above 3,000ft anyway, and it seems that things like transponders and contrasting paint schemes are unjustified expenses out there, I'm never really surprised with what pops up ! :ooh::eek:

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 ;)

Yes you should Sid, you may discover how refreshingly simple it is to do one even from thirty feet when running into a thirty knot headwind. That's why I always try for at least 300 feet when I am running downwind, never turn downwind below 40kts indicated etc etc.etc.

Tet,

You wrote "late Geoff Brown", am I right in thinking he is no longer with us? If so please pm me.
Thx.

Tet, I said refresh, not learn, thanks :ok:

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!

No worries Sid, being ANZAC day thought I'd just lay one on for effect - barely raised the dust, as I might have known with you, regards.

This is true and you may have noticed that Vertical Freedom's photographs show a tendency to be very close to the ground all the time. Now I'm only guessing, but it's probably the same phobia - being too high above ground in that country could sure cause real bad nose bleeds.

Well you mob did have a drought over there - and then with a bout of silliness someone went and invited Flannery into the country who foretold - doom, gloom, more drought. Surprise, surprise you nearly all got washed away, ice snow the whole nine yards.You'd be far better having everyone turn their pink ear to James Dellingpole.

cheers tet