Like I said, whats it mean when the controller says "maintain flight level five zero"? If it don't mean 5000' then what does it mean?On arrival to Schipol, I was told to maintain five zero but once I reached it he kept nagging at me to get there. I checked the barometer and it was correct. I had to talk with the FSDO too.And why did he say it that way instead of "five thousand" like in the U.S.? I have to admit, this is the first European flight I have ever taken so I'm not used to the jargon I reckon.

A Flight Level is not the same as an Altitude. Flight Levels are always based on using the standard altimeter pressure setting of 1013.25 Millibars, which is equal to 29.92 inches of mercury (depending on how your altimeter is calibrated). So if you altimeter is set on the local barometric pressure, and not on the standard altimeter setting, then you will not be at Flight Level 50 on the controller's radar scope, and your transponder blip on his scope will tell him that, so he will keep asking you to correct your height.The reason he did not say 5,000 feet, is because you were above the Transition Altitude, which is the point where you should set your altimeter to Standard instead of the local barometric pressure.In the US and Canada, the Transition Altitude is most often 18,000 feet, so below that height, controllers will say 'climb to altitude 5,000' since it is below the Transition Altitude. But in the rest of the world, the Transition Altitude is different for all sorts of places, and can often be a low as 3,000 feet, which means that any height over that will then no longer be referred to as an altitude, but rather a Flight Level, since that is the terminology once you pass above the Transition Altitude.So, in short, in the US, you will fly to 'altitudes' reported in 'thousands' until you pass 18,000 feet, then it will be 'Flight Levels' and you will set your altimeter to the Standard setting. In the rest of the world, you will need to know the local Transition Altitude because it is not 18,000 feet, but can vary. Your co-pilot should report passing the local transition altitude in FS when he/she says 'altimeter check'. That's your cue to press the 'STD' button on your altimeter if climbing, and to switch to local pressure if descending.In Eastern Europe, it gets tougher, since altimeters are calibrated in Meters rather than feet.Al

I guess you wanted to say Russia, as rest of Eastern Europe is on Feet not Meters.

If you are flying outside of FAA territories do not use the FS B key to set your altimeter. It is hard coded to a transition altitude of 18,000 feet FL180 which as stated by Chock varies throughout the world.

Very nice explanation. Thanks for that - I learn something new every day. I did hear the copilot say altimeter check at a low altitude, now I know why. I guess I will have to do some homework to find the local trans alt. I have a plane stuck in Holland right now. Trying to get her out but keep getting a BSOD. That's a subject for another forum.

I guess you wanted to say Russia, as rest of Eastern Europe is on Feet not Meters.[/quoteThat is indeed true, but I said the altimeters were calibrated in Meters (or at least they were in every Eastern European aircraft I've ever flown), and not that the ATC used Meters.Al