ATIS, ATC and altitude.

[FlightSimmer68 9]

When I'm setting up a flight I get ATIS as expected. But when I'm given clearance, the info (eg departing runway and altimiter setting) contradicts what ATIS just said. Why?

Also, I have altitude restrictions in the P2A generated flight plan, but ATC just ignores them. Again, why?

[FedorKlootwijk 0]

As far as I know (Dave is the ultimate source of information) ATIS is generated on basis of the current weather in the simulator and the departure runway is what you have chosen in your flightplan. So it is up to you to choose the right runway.

I know it is not entirely according to the RW, but your clearance states a SID and you are supposed to adhere to the altitude restrictions of that SID. ATC gives you clearance to climb to a maximum altitude/level, but within that clearance you have to respect the restrictions of the SID.

Fedor

[FlightSimmer68 9]

Thanks for your reply.

Not sure if my explanation was good enough.

An example:

I create a plan from EGLL to EGPF. Auto plan assigns rwy 27R for take off (I don't choose the rwy, aP2A does). ATIS says 27L.  Clearance says 27R. Surely the rwy should be the same?

As for SIDs & STARs, so it's up to me to respect altitude restrictions? ATC doesn't hold my hand, as it were?

[Dave-Pilot2ATC 870]

At airports with multiple parallel runways, you might get a different runway (27R instead of 27L) assigned for takeoff than the one ATIS is reporting.  As it did in this case, the Clearance runway should match the Auto Planned runway and the one in the resulting flight plan. 

If you make your own flight plan and have Force Pilot Runway Selection option checked, you will be assigned the runway specified in your flight plan SID, regardless of winds and ATIS reports.

It is up to the pilot to adhere to altitude and speed restrictions of all assigned procedures - SIDs, STARs and Approaches.  ATC might call you if you don't.  On a SID, ATC will usually clear you to an altitude above the last restriction in the SID and then start giving you climbs as you approach that altitude.  However, you must adhere to the restrictions in the SID on your way to the cleared altitude.

[FlightSimmer68 9]

Thanks Dave. That clears things up.