Transition level penalty

[EHM-1749 Hector]

One of the penalties included in PP is the failure of the pilot to set the altimeter to 29.92 after passing 18,000´.
This is ok when the TL is at that altitude.
What happens when the TL is different?
In many places outside USA, TLs range from 5000´all the way to 18000.
Is there anyplace in PP that you can write the particular TL either for departure or landing?
In controlled airspace, setting the QNH to local below 18000´but above that local TL can lead to midair collisions.
Appreciate your comments.
hectorp

[EHM-1365 Benjamin]

As far as I know, the logger only issues the penalty if you have not set to standard (1013.2/29.92) by 18,000ft. So there is no problem with other places as you have set to standard before crossing FL180.

I have never been issued a penalty for setting to standard before F180.

[EHM-1749 Hector]

Thanks Benjamin for your prompt answer.
I just wanted to be sure, not only when climbing but when descending and not setting the QNH right after passing 18000´.
Maybe the penalty applies only when climbing.
Regards,
Hector Partidas
EHM-1749

[EHM-0361 Karsten]

Hey Hector

I can tell you that the penalty only applies when climbing. I use the program Radar Contact as my ATC instead of the inbuild ATC. It uses different TL depending on where you fly. And I have never gotten a penalty for forgetting to reset the setting while decending

[EHM-1749 Hector]

Ok Karsten,
thanks a lot for your input.
I use the FS Flight Keeper to track and evaluate my flight and it allows also to set the TL as per the place you are in but so far, I was keeping it to a standard 18000´.
Best Regards,
Hector Partidas
EHM-1749

[EHM-2089 Vincent]

Cool, good info about the TL Penalty. I almost everytime when I flew, every since I got the penalty make it a habit not to cross FL17000 unless required and if yes then ensure that i keep pressing the letter B so that its automatically set to the right setting.

I guess to make things a little more real, its good to have a flight chart done / flight log printed from the FS 2004 NavLog option itself. And then monitor the flight plan regularly. At the altitude of FL180, press B and you can avoid the penalty, thats my common modus operandi!!.

[EHM-0948 Bruno]

.. or, you can do like me that sets the AutoPilot for 17900ft .. before climbing to final flight level

[EHM-2089 Vincent]

Yeah, I agree on that Bruno... I want to keep safe of air currents, lest the plane tries to do some acrobatics and shooting over 18000 and then lowering etc... so I keep safe af FL170 and then the letter B is my friend. He is pressed constantly - sorry hammered constantly!!!

[EHM-1798 Conrad]

I would try to avoid "b" at stages, because it can sometimes be innacurate. For example, London Control instructs you to climb to FL130, if you are still at the local QNH of which you went through the transition layer with. Then your altitude will be wrong. You should allways change it when passing the real TL to qnh 1013 - or mercury 29.92.

For example..

Climbing out of heathrow, TA = 6000ft, TL= 060 - So you should set the Standard qnh when passing.

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Conrad, you (should) know as well as I that introducing TL into this discussion is like throwing a live grenade into a kiddies play area - at some point, there will be an accident...

(And by way of explanation from those that don't know) Unlike TA [Transition Altitude] which is fixed by each civil authority (CAA in the UK) for each field/area, the TL [Transition Level] varies depending on the pressure at ground level and the TA for the field in question.

So, as Conners rightly points out, the TA at EGLL is 6000ft, but the TL will be one of FL55 thru FL80 (in increments of 500ft), depending on the QNH at the time of descent.

[EHM-0948 Bruno]

I was talking on offline flights

The "B" doesn't apply for simulated ATC situations. On that cases we need to follow what Conrad told, given Murray's explanation.

Regards,

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Well, yes, offline FS 2004 (unless interfered with by a third-party addon) uses a TA/TL of 18000ft/FL180.

The use of "B" when flying online is just as valid as when flying offline, it's just used at a different time