Garry Russell wrote:Come to think of it it makes no sense
The W bound are odd E even
SE even NW odd
Hi Garry,
I'm afraid you still seem rather confused about which levels are allocated for which direction of flight. Let me see if I can clarify the situation a little for the UK/Europe.
As far as ATC is concerned, all flights are either westbound (blue) or eastbound (yellow) regardless of the actual direction of flight. A westbound flight is defined as one having a
magnetic track of between 180 and 359 degrees and an eastbound flight as one having a magnetic track of between 360 and 179 degrees. For completeness, I should mention that there are a few exceptions to this rule - France for example - but Dan asked for simplicity so we'll stick with the majority practice.
The flight levels used vary depending on the type of airspace - RVSM or non-RVSM. RVSM airspace is that in which 1000ft vertical separation is used up to and including FL410 and 2000ft above that level and now covers, Europe, North, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, SE Asia and Australasia. Non-RVSM airspace is that in which 1000ft vertical separation, is used up to and including FL290 with 2000ft used above that level.
In RVSM airspace,
westbound levels are
even flight levels up to and including FL400 and then FL430, FL470, FL510 etc.
Eastbound levels are
odd flight levels up to and including FL410 and then FL450, FL490, FL530 etc.
In non-RVSM airspace,
westbound levels are
even flight levels up to and including FL280 and then FL310, FL350, FL390 etc.
Eastbound levels are
odd flight levels up to and including FL290 and then FL330, FL370, FL410 etc.
The above are just guidelines as to the levels to be used in r/w flight planning. The actual levels allocated by ATC may vary considerably from those filed. We can and we do frequently allocate opposite direction levels (ODLs) wherever and whenever necessary. For example, when the oceanic tracks are northabout and there's a very heavy flow of westbound Oceanic traffic from Europe across the UK, we use every level - odd and even - between FL300 and FL360 for them. Space to do this is usually found by refusing to allow UK domestic and other short distance traffic to fly over the UK above FL280 even though they may have requested up to FL360.
Garry Russell wrote:Are the French different to the British?
They sure are, brother, but what the heck -
"Vive la différence", I say.
DanKH wrote:Could anyone please spell out the various flight levels used depending on your direction of flight (NSEW). I know there are certain rules, but haven't seen them spelled out...so please explain as you would to you grandmother
Dan, to keep things at "Grandmother" level, I recommend you assume that all the airspace you fly in is RVSM and that you fly even levels when you're westbound (magnetic track anywhere between 180 and 359 degrees) and odd levels when you're eastbound (between 360 and 179 degrees). If the airway direction changes from eastbound to westbound (a common occurrence in the real-world) simply climb or descend 1000ft to regain a level appropriate to the direction of flight. Do this and you won't be far from real-world practice in many parts of the world.
I hope this clears up any lingering confusion.
Pete
