Transition Level

[Tomliner]

Question for our real fliers.I always thought that the level in the UK was 6000ft,but while I am down here in Nottingham,I have occasionally been listening to the ATIS at East Mids and have heard the level on Tuesday given as 7000ft and today it is 6500ft.Has the fixed level now been removed permanently? EricT

[NigelC]

Transition Altitude should remain the same, at EMA 6000ft. Transition Level varies with air pressure. It is the lowest flight level above the Transition Altitude.

The QNH at the mo at EMA is 1005 which gives a Transition Level of FL065

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_level

Nige C

[NigelC]

In the UK, transition Altitude is 3000ft outside controlled airspace and higher in the vicinity of major airports (TMAs)

[Tomliner]

Thanks for the replies so far.Always helpful folks here as usual. I can't recall hearing the TL being given out on Edinburgh's ATIS though.I'llread the Wikipedia article. EricT

[Tomliner]

Very interesting.As a non flyer I hadn't realised the difference between the terms transition altitude and transition level,but I do now.When .i get back to Edinburgh I'll listen to their ATIS again( as I often do to get the wind speed and direction if I fancy getting the bicycle out!) but I'm sure I've never heard the TL given out.Again many thanks for the info EricT

[NigelC]

You may not, but ATC will obviously be aware.

The Transition Level at EDI at the mo is FL065 so the lowest Flight Level assigned will be FL070. The next lowest assigned will be 6000ft on the EDI QNH.

If the pressure was lower and the TL was FL070 the lowest assigned would be FL075 and the next 6000ft QNH again.

[NigelC]

Another one from one of my favourite sites.

http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Tran ... tude/Level

Also good for getting "rule of thumb" aircraft performance, see below for example

http://contentzone.eurocontrol.int/airc ... ?ICAO=RJ85