"Altimeter 29.97"

I've got a quick question. When I establish radar contact with an ATC facility, they'll give me an altimeter setting. Am I wrong in saying that all I need to do is readback the altimeter setting or state my callsign?​




I have been told that the correct procedure is to read back my indicated altitude with the given altimeter setting.​

Which is correct?​

Too much info to read back...........I just click the mic. :)

No but seriously if you haven't given them the ATIS code then I would read back the Alt setting and call sign but not my altitude. A roger will do as well.
 
I work at a center, and I prefer the first one. The second one is....well let's put it this way, "hello department of redundancy department."

The only time you'll hear me saying "one zero, ten thousand" is for clarification or emphasis - like when someone keeps screwing up a readback. It really bugs me when I'm sitting next to someone and they keep saying, "...contact Houston center on one three two point seven, thirty-two seven."

That redundancy department is part of my company's SOP. You gotta remember there are people flying around out there with some crappy headsets in loud airplanes. If it makes a clearance clearer whats the problem? It covers our respective asses does it not? Besides, Memphis never really gets that busy that you can't read back a clearance with exact clarity.
On a side note-Can't we just drop the 1 (one) when getting frequency changes? It confuses me.
 
That redundancy department is part of my company's SOP. You gotta remember there are people flying around out there with some crappy headsets in loud airplanes.

It actually specifies you have to say "one zero, ten thousand?" I think that's going a little overboard. I understand about the crappy headset loud airplane thing but repitition is not always the better option.

If it makes a clearance clearer whats the problem? It covers our respective asses does it not? Besides, Memphis never really gets that busy that you can't read back a clearance with exact clarity.

Last night I had 24 aircraft on my frequecy at once in a small high altitude sector, all of whom were deviating and most of who had a question or request. Nah we never get that busy at Memphis. I'm all for reading back a clearance with exact clarity - I prefer it. What I don't prefer are redundant or superfluous transmissions on a very busy frequency. I don't even want to hear you check in when it gets that busy. I know you're required to but I'd rather have you just monitor the frequency and pay attention.

On a side note-Can't we just drop the 1 (one) when getting frequency changes? It confuses me.
I don't understand that either. I'm with you on that one.
 
Correct way: "29.97, [callsign]"

Relaxed way: "97, thanks"

Professional way: "Ah rogaaaaaaah!"


:D

Yes, perfect, but makes sure to include enough hesitation in the 'ahhh, roooggggerrrrr' to make sure that you have sufficient time to actually tune your altimeter while making the read back. If you can some how manage to make a sound to indicate your making the adjustment even better!!

Ok, time for bed ;)

Seriously though, I use "thanks, 3AB" instead of "roger 3AB" it acknowledges understanding and compliance but seems a bit friendlier and that is a good thing.
 
I've got a quick question. When I establish radar contact with an ATC facility, they'll give me an altimeter setting. Am I wrong in saying that all I need to do is readback the altimeter setting or state my callsign?​




I have been told that the correct procedure is to read back my indicated altitude with the given altimeter setting.​

Which is correct?​
I assume when you say "establish radar contact", you are talking about initial contact. You should provide your altitude as part of the initial contact. If the controller subsequently gives you an altimeter setting, read it back, but you do not need to restate your altitude.

References AIM paragraphs 4-1-20, 4-2-3, and 5-3-1.
 
What I don't prefer are redundant or superfluous transmissions on a very busy frequency. I don't even want to hear you check in when it gets that busy. I know you're required to but I'd rather have you just monitor the frequency and pay attention.

Hell, half the time they come calling for me before I can get a word in edgewise anyway...
 
This is a riot!!! two pages in response to your initial contact with ATC. Funny stuff :rotfl:. Play by the rules, talk like you want (within reason), if someone has a problem with it, they will let you know. :cool:
 
Don't even get me started on that one. Only second to that is "got em on the box" Holly flipping hell dude, don't look at your 'box' look for me OUT YOUR FREAKIN' WINDOW!!!!!

I don't like the slang either. But seeing you on the TCAS is much more accurate than me staring at you out the window. I can see your altitude separation, which direction you're going, if you are climbing or descending and have an accurate distance.

Looking out the window for traffic is primary. But if I am alerted to traffic by ATC or the TCAS then the FIRST place I'm going to look is the TCAS. Fastest, safest way to see you right now, not in 30 seconds when I finally can pick you out from among the bugs on the window.

As to the one zero, ten thousand thing from an earlier post, that just doesn't make any sense unless you do it for all altitudes. One, one eleven thousand, zero seven, seven thousand. I don't think so.

Long time lurker, rarely a poster!
 
I don't like the slang either. But seeing you on the TCAS is much more accurate than me staring at you out the window. I can see your altitude separation, which direction you're going, if you are climbing or descending and have an accurate distance.

And TCAS is fantastic for you guys, it really is. However, saying you have traffic on TCAS does nothing for our separation responsibility. We need you to say you visually observe them before we can discontinue further traffic calls or begin the process of applying visual separation...etc.

So that's a situation where you're wasting a transmission by telling us you've got him on TCAS. Doesn't do a thing for us. That said, TCAS is a fantastic tool and I'm not meaning to imply it isn't.

In my limited experience, pilots will respond with something prior to actually acquiring the traffic visually, usually something like "looking" or "got him on TCAS." That's ok, as long as you're continuing to look for the traffic and intend on reporting him in sight once you see him.
 
"Wilco," "tally ho," "ready to go," (unless I'm talking to myself on the pot) and "on the roll," are all terms I wont use, but to each there own...

Wilco is a proper term: http://www.skypark.org/Documents/Pilot-Controller-Glossary.pdf

The problem is some pilots misuse it because they don't know any better like
"Roger, wilco, over and out"!

Most of the time "roger" is the best reply, but "wilco" is appropriate in some circumstances -
"Cessna 27G, check back for your clearance in 10 minutes."
"Wilco."

Or

"Cessna 27G, let me know when you have information Bravo"
"Wilco."
 
Ok guys, sorry to rehash a dated thread, but I've done some searching and can't find the explicit answer I'm looking for. I'm a student pilot a few days from my PVT checkride and am confused about altimeter settings.

For example, I recently went on a cross country and was about halfway back home when I got handed off to a different controller. The new controller promptly gave me an altimeter setting that was roughly .10 higher than my current altimeter setting. Since this is roughly a 100 ft variation, I felt it necessary to adjust my own altimeter setting to coincide with the one given to me. In this case, I was cruising at 3,000ft, though I bet ATC saw me at 3,100.

Is it appropriate to change altimeter setting when given one a good bit different than the one you are using or should you just maintain?
 
Ok guys, sorry to rehash a dated thread, but I've done some searching and can't find the explicit answer I'm looking for. I'm a student pilot a few days from my PVT checkride and am confused about altimeter settings.

For example, I recently went on a cross country and was about halfway back home when I got handed off to a different controller. The new controller promptly gave me an altimeter setting that was roughly .10 higher than my current altimeter setting. Since this is roughly a 100 ft variation, I felt it necessary to adjust my own altimeter setting to coincide with the one given to me. In this case, I was cruising at 3,000ft, though I bet ATC saw me at 3,100.

Is it appropriate to change altimeter setting when given one a good bit different than the one you are using or should you just maintain?

No. You should change your altimeter to whatever ATC has given you. Definatly talk to your CFI about pressure and why you set the altimeter to the pressure setting ATC gives you. The altimeter setting is basically station pressure extrapolated to sea level. Station pressures are most accurate close to the station and will change as you fly away from the station. ATC gives you new altimeter settings because of the different station pressures. Even if the altimeter setting may seem "wrong" to you, it is the same altimeter setting given to other aircraft in your area. As long as all aircraft are using the same altimeter setting, vertical separation will be assured.

Sometimes atc will give you an altimeter setting and you'll be flying along at 3500 ft Indicated altitude, but your true altitude might be 3300 ft. Remember that ATC will give this setting to all the aircraft in your area. So there might be another airplane 1000 feet above you flying at 4300 ft true and indicating 4500 ft. Think about what would happen if you change your altimeter setting, but the other aircraft maintains theirs.

Does this make sense? Pressure and altimeter stuff is not my favorite topic. :D
 
No. You should change your altimeter to whatever ATC has given you. Definatly talk to your CFI about pressure and why you set the altimeter to the pressure setting ATC gives you. The altimeter setting is basically station pressure extrapolated to sea level. Station pressures are most accurate close to the station and will change as you fly away from the station. ATC gives you new altimeter settings because of the different station pressures. Even if the altimeter setting may seem "wrong" to you, it is the same altimeter setting given to other aircraft in your area. As long as all aircraft are using the same altimeter setting, vertical separation will be assured.

Sometimes atc will give you an altimeter setting and you'll be flying along at 3500 ft Indicated altitude, but your true altitude might be 3300 ft. Remember that ATC will give this setting to all the aircraft in your area. So there might be another airplane 1000 feet above you flying at 4300 ft true and indicating 4500 ft. Think about what would happen if you change your altimeter setting, but the other aircraft maintains theirs.

Does this make sense? Pressure and altimeter stuff is not my favorite topic. :D

That's perfect, I understand how varying pressures and what not affect the altimeter, I just didn't know if ATC actually wanted me to make the adjustment. I guess it's kinda a "duh" thing for me, seeing as how they probably wouldn't tell me if they didn't want me to do something with the information :laff:.

Also, that makes perfect sense. Regardless if indicated and actual are 200' off, as long as everyone is 200' off per ATC altimeter instructions, separation is ensured.

Thanks for your response! :beer:
 
Ok guys, sorry to rehash a dated thread, but I've done some searching and can't find the explicit answer I'm looking for. I'm a student pilot a few days from my PVT checkride and am confused about altimeter settings.

For example, I recently went on a cross country and was about halfway back home when I got handed off to a different controller. The new controller promptly gave me an altimeter setting that was roughly .10 higher than my current altimeter setting. Since this is roughly a 100 ft variation, I felt it necessary to adjust my own altimeter setting to coincide with the one given to me. In this case, I was cruising at 3,000ft, though I bet ATC saw me at 3,100.

Is it appropriate to change altimeter setting when given one a good bit different than the one you are using or should you just maintain?

ATC gives you that altimeter setting because that is what they are using for radar purposes for that particular area. Pressure can change greatly over a short distance, so your altimeter could read 100 feet off from what ATC sees you at, and in busy airspace areas like LA, you could bust Bravo if you're not careful.

This is how I always handle handoffs. Tune in the new frequency, and make the initial call. I usually say "SoCal Approach (or whoever it is), Cessna ***** with you, 4,500". They'll usually respond with "Roger, altimeter ****". At that point, acknowledge the pressure setting, and adjust your Kollsmann window.
 
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