Altimeter setting procedures

ENR 1.7 Altimeter setting procedures

1.7.1 INTRODUCTION

The altimeter setting procedures in use generally conform to those contained in ICAO Doc 8168.

1.7.2 BASIC ALTIMETER SETTING PROCEDURES

1.7.2.1 General

These procedures apply to all flights. Exceptions and conditions may be determined by the appropriate ATS unit.

These procedures describe the method for providing adequate vertical separation between aircraft and for providing required terrain clearance during all phases of the flight. This method is based on the following provisions:

1.7.2.2 Transition altitude

1.7.2.2.1 Transition altitude is the altitude at or below which the vertical position of an aircraft is controlled by reference to altitudes except as stated in ENR 1.7 para 2.5 c). The transition altitude within all FIR is 5000 ft (1500 m) AMSL, except as stated in ENR 1.7 para 2.2.2 and ENR 1.7 para 2.2.3.

1.7.2.2.2 Outside on ATS routes where the published minimum flight altitude exceeds 5000 ft AMSL, the transition altitude for IFR flights is increased to the value identical with this minimum flight altitude.

1.7.2.2.3 Outside in mountainous areas where terrain exceeds 4000 ft (1200 m) AMSL, the transition altitude for all VFR flights and for IFR flights outside ATS routes is increased to an altitude identical to the height 1000 ft (300 m) AGL.

1.7.2.3 Transition level

1.7.2.3.1 Transition level is the lowest flight level available for use, located at least 1000 ft (300 m) above the transition altitude.

1.7.2.4 Transition layer

1.7.2.4.1 The airspace between the transition level and the transition altitude is called the transition layer. Level flight is not permitted within the transition layer except especially approved activities. (see ENR 1.7 para 2.1)

1.7.2.4.2 Minimum depth of transition layer is set to 1000 ft in accordance with ICAO Doc. 7030/5.

1.7.2.5 References to the vertical position

The vertical position of aircraft shall be expressed in terms of:

flight levels for flights at or above the transition level;
altitudes for flights at or below transition altitude;
heights above the ground for en−route flights up to 1000 ft (300 m) above ground;

While passing through the transition layer, vertical positions shall be expressed in term of:

flight levels when climbing; and
altitude when descending.

1.7.2.5.1 When a clearance for approach has been issued and the descent for landing has been started, the vertical position of an aircraft can be expressed in terms of altitude (QNH), provided, that no horizontal flight is expected above the transition altitude.

1.7.2.6 The change in reference from altitude to flight levels and vice versa

The change in reference from altitude to flight levels and vice versa is made:

at the transition altitude when climbing; and
at the transition level when descending.

1.7.3 Description of altimeter setting region

During a flight at or below the transition altitude the following pressure shall be set on altimeters for the areas listed below:

within the CTR	QNH of the applicable controlled aerodrome
within the TMA or below the TMA	QNH of the specified aerodrome
within the ATZ whose upper limits or its part is identical with lower limit of TMA	QNH of the specified aerodrome
within the ATZ laying completely or partially below a TMA, but without a direct border with the TMA	QNH of the applicable uncontrolled aerodrome * otherwise QNH of the specified aerodrome
in other ATZ	QNH of the applicable uncontrolled aerodrome * otherwise regional QNH
in other cases	regional QNH

"QNH of the specified aerodrome" for the purpose of TMA is:

TMA BrnoTAIRSPACE;Annotation:122542.cze;2892	QNH LKTBTAD_HP;CODE_ID;2685
TMA České BudějoviceTAIRSPACE;Annotation:122677.cze;4274	QNH LKCSTAD_HP;CODE_ID;2695
TMA Karlovy VaryTAIRSPACE;Annotation:122391.cze;2897	QNH LKKVTAD_HP;CODE_ID;2746
TMA OstravaTAIRSPACE;Annotation:122393.cze;2898	QNH LKMTTAD_HP;CODE_ID;2809
TMA PrahaTAIRSPACE;Annotation:122951.cze;2899	QNH LKPRTAD_HP;CODE_ID;2826
TMA VodochodyTAIRSPACE;Annotation:122798.cze;2903	QNH LKVOTAD_HP;CODE_ID;2827
MTMA ČáslavTAIRSPACE;Annotation:123074.cze;2830	QNH LKCVTAD_HP;CODE_ID;2692
MTMA KbelyTAIRSPACE;Annotation:123079.cze;2833	QNH LKKBTAD_HP;CODE_ID;2748
MTMA NáměšťTAIRSPACE;Annotation:123081.cze;2834	QNH LKNATAD_HP;CODE_ID;2793
MTMA PardubiceTAIRSPACE;Annotation:123083.cze;2835	QNH LKPDTAD_HP;CODE_ID;2812

In case of more overlapping TMAs, pilot flying belowsuch TMAs shall use the QNH of the lowest TMA.

Note: * If the "AFIS" or the "information to known traffic" units are operational.

1.7.4 Procedures for operators and pilots

1.7.4.1 Information on the aerodrome QNH, temperature and transition level in is provided in ATIS broadcasts or transmitted by the appropriate ATS unit. Regional QNH is provided in MET broadcasts and is available on request from the ATS units.

1.7.4.2 QNH values are given in hectopascals. QNH in milimetres Hg is provided on request. Minimum flight altitudes are published on appropriate charts.

1.7.4.3 VFR flights up to an altitude of 5000 ft (1500 m) AMSL or up to a height of 1000 ft (300 m) AGL, if this level exceeds 5000 ft (1500 m) AMSL, shall set the altimeter to the QNH in accordance with ENR 1.7 para 3.

1.7.4.4 The pilot is responsible for corrections to altimeter settings as described in ICAO Doc 8168 (PANS−OPS). If an aircraft is cleared by ATC to an altitude which the pilot−in−command finds unacceptable due to low temperature or any other operational requirement then the pilot−in−command shall request an alternative altitude. If such a request is not received ATC will consider that the clearance has been accepted and will be complied with.

1.7.4.5 When an IFR flight is being vectored by means of the ATS surveillance system, the minimum level assignable by ATC is the ATC surveillance minimum altitude (ATCSMA), which always ensures the required obstacle clearance and whenever necessary, with respect to the low temperature effect.

1.7.4.6 Vertical separations

1.7.4.6.1 Vertical separation is provided by assignment of different levels in accordance with ICAO Annex 11 (Air Traffic Services) and ICAO Doc 4444 Procedures for Air Navigation Services − Air Traffic Management.

1.7.4.6.2 Below the transition altitude shall be assigned altitudes which are referenced to the calculated mean sea level pressure (QNH).

1.7.4.6.3 Above the transition altitude shall be assigned cruising levels in accordance with ICAO Annex 2 (Rules of the Air) Appendix 3.

1.7.4.7 Flight planning

Levels at which a flight is to be conducted shall be specified in a flight plan:

flight levels for flights at or above the lowest usable flight level or above transition altitude;
altitudes for flights at transition altitude or below, or for flights below the lowest usable flight level;
abbreviation VFR for uncontrolled VFR flights.

1.7.5 Table of cruising levels

1.7.5.1 All en−route flights shall be operated in cruising levels corresponding to the flown track according to Table of cruising levels.

TABLE OF CRUISING LEVELS

MAGNETIC TRACK
from 000° to 179°						from 180° to 359°
IFR			VFR			IFR			VFR
FL	m	ft	FL	m	ft	FL	m	ft	FL	m	ft
-	900	3000	-	1050	3500	-	1200	4000	-	1350	4500
50	1500	5000	55	1700	5500	60	1850	6000	65	2000	6500
70	2150	7000	75	2300	7500	80	2450	8000	85	2600	8500
90	2750	9000	95	2900	9500	100	3050	10000	105	3200	10500
110	3350	11000	115	3500	11500	120	3650	12000	125	3800	12500
130	3950	13000	135	4100	13500	140	4250	14000	145	4400	14500
150	4550	15000	155	4700	15500	160	4900	16000	165	5050	16500
170	5200	17000	175	5350	17500	180	5500	18000	185	5650	18500
190	5800	19000	195	5950	19500	200	6100	20000	205	6250	20500
210	6400	21000	215	6550	21500	220	6700	22000	225	6850	22500
230	7000	23000	235	7150	23500	240	7300	24000	245	7450	24500
250	7600	25000	255	7750	25500	260	7900	26000	265	8100	26500
270	8250	27000	275	8400	27500	280	8550	28000	285	8700	28500
290	8850	29000				300	9150	30000
310	9450	31000				320	9750	32000
330	10050	33000				340	10350	34000
350	10650	35000				360	10950	36000
370	11300	37000				380	11600	38000
390	11900	39000				400	12200	40000
410	12500	41000				430	13100	43000
450	13700	45000				470	14350	47000
490	14950	49000				510	15550	51000
etc..	etc.	etc.	etc.	etc.	etc.	etc.	etc.	etc.	etc.	etc.	etc.

FL 50 and FL 55 available at QNH ≥ 1051 hPa

FL 60 and FL 65 available at QNH ≥ 1014 hPa

FL 70 and FL 75 available at QNH ≥ 978 hPa

Transition levels according to the current QNH

	Transition level
≥ 1051	50
1014 - 1050	60
978 - 1013	70
≤ 977	80

Outside of where there is the minimum flight altitude higher than the altitude 5000 ft AMSL, the transition level for IFR flights is the lowest flight level available for use. The lowest flight level available for use on ATS routes may be obtained on request from the appropriate ATS units.