Transition Altitude

[tanker 15]

Can someone explain how transtion altitude is established in Europe? In the USA, it's 29.92 at or above FL180, but it seems to be much lower in some European areas.Thanks, Dale

[Mats_J 2]

Dale,TL and TA is a much more complex issue than you would imagine at a first glance but generally in Europe the TA is 5000 feet and TL will vary depending on TA and current pressure.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_levelHope it helps,

[Ray Proudfoot 8,931]

Hi Dale,The Transition Altitude (TA) in Europe varies enormously even within the same country. In the UK Manchester is 5000ft, London Heathrow and Gatwick are 6000ft and others will also be different.FS9 (and FSX I think) are absolutely hopeless at determining TAs and just use 18000ft - the US default. If you were a Radar Contact user the TA is correct for most major world airports and is just one of many improvements over the default ATC. There have been no major improvements in ATC in FSX.For more info visit the RC Forum here on AvSim or click on the RC logo below.Cheers,

[tanker 15]

Thanks for the reply. I do use Radar Contact - As I understand it, it sets the TA based on the departure Airport. On a recent flight from Paris to Hilan, Italy, it made for an interesting crossing of the Swiss Alps (cleared the mountains, but very close). TA at Paris was 6,000 ft, but the Swiss Terrain was 11,700 ft, so a barometric pressure different from standard could have resulted in a crash.Am I coreect in assuming the TA over the Swiss Alps would have been higher in real world flying? Would ATC advise the pilot, or does he/she consult a chart?Dale

[Egbert Drenth 250]

Hi,When passing the Alps your pressure setting would/should be 1013/29.92, set when departing Paris and passing through 6.000ft.If you crashed in the Alps that has nothing to do with the local pressure setting (unless it was not on 1013). You should fly at or above the MEA (Min Enroute Altitude), printed on the maps.If you land at one of the Alps airports, you are right, the TA is much higher then for example Paris. TA for LOWI (Innbruck) is 11.000ft, however for LOWW (Vienna) it is 5.000ft.The TA depends on the geographical position (i.e. elevation) of the airport

[Jack C 8]

My question would be why Europe has to make it so non standardized. Just confuses me. It works fine in N America with a standard 18000 feet.

[Egbert Drenth 250]

USA is one country, Europe has zillion countries. That's the main reason. Almost impossible to come to a standard, every country has it's own ideas, politics, etc.Same is true for ATC zones.

[Egbert Drenth 250]

>It works fine in N America with a standard 18000 feet.That is true but not for enroute traffic flying below 18.000ft.When flying enroute for example at 12.000ft, in the US a pilot keeps changing his pressure setting along the route.In Europe that isn't necessary, he's flying at FL120 all the way with 1013/29.92

[Ray Proudfoot 8,931]

Jack,I think it helps make flying so much more interesting. It keeps you on your toes! I rue the day when the EU standardises Transition Altitude.:-mad Cheers,

[Ray Proudfoot 8,931]

Hi Dale,Actually RC uses two TAs - one for the departure airport and another for the arrival. Your initial clearance will be based on Transition Altitude and QNH at the departure airport.You don't have TAs enroute. As Egbert said you need to consult charts to establish the MEA for your flight. No point cruising along at FL140 if the 14,000ft Matterhorn is right in your way :-lolYou should enable NOTAMS at Milan. The high ground to the north may prevent you descending as early as Approach would like.Cheers,

[tanker 15]

>Hi Dale,>>Actually RC uses two TAs - one for the departure airport and>another for the arrival. Your initial clearance will be based>on Transition Altitude and QNH at the departure airport.>>You don't have TAs enroute. As Egbert said you need to consult>charts to establish the MEA for your flight. No point cruising>along at FL140 if the 14,000ft Matterhorn is right in your way>:-lol>>You should enable NOTAMS at Milan. The high ground to the>north may prevent you descending as early as Approach would>like.>>Cheers,Actually, my cruise altitude was FL250. ATC (RC4) directed me to descend to 14000, then 12000. I was also using Active Sky weather, but I don't remenber the barometric pressure. RC4 has been excellent about not placing the assigned altitude below MEA, but in this case my pressure altitude (2992) was considerably lower than the actual assigned altitude, if that makes any sense?Dale

[Ray Proudfoot 8,931]

Hi Dale,<>Slip of the finger. You meant FL140 and FL120 of course :-)<>That would be entirely fortuitous. RC doesn't know about MEAs. Only MSA within 40 miles of the departure and destination airports.<<...but in this case my pressure altitude (2992) was considerably lower than the actual assigned altitude, if that makes any sense?>>Not a lot ;-) You're mixing pressure and altitude. Just remember that you need to be down at FL120 or FL110 40 miles from the destination airport. If you stick to that rule you're not doing much wrong :-)Cheers,