Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Friendliest aviation Ccmmunity on the web
  • Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
  • Ask questions, help others, promote aviation
  • Share the passion for aviation
  • Invite everyone to Flightinfo.com and let's have fun

Why did we pick TL 18.000ft?

Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
  • Invite your friends
  • Share the passion of aviation
  • Friendliest aviation community on the web

CaptLeslie

Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2003
Posts
21
18,000 feet is the fixed transition level in the US?
Europe is considering having a fixed level. Some have suggested 10.000' while others say – lets do the same as the US.

Does any of you know why we picked exactly 18.000 feet and not another fixed altitude?

Can you see any advantages or disadvantages of having a lower fixed transition level – for example 10.000ft?
 
Last edited:
I have heard that it used to be 24000 ft and that they were going to lower it to 12000 ft, and that 18000 was the compromise. It's at least 3000 ft above the highest point in the 48 states, so cold, low pressure should never have you too low anywhere above transition.

Other countries have lower transition level, true, but those other countries don't have GA, and never will.....at least anything like we have in the USA.

The main disadvantage would be the requirement to be on an IFR flight plan. Would be VERY bad for soaring, ballooning, and general aviation in general....

Or did you mean transition ONLY, not Class A also?
 
It's lower in Japan, but you can fly VFR at any altitude.

"Hawk11 request direct Iwakuni"
"You're creared directo hooke then directo Iwakuni"
"Hawk11 cancel IFR"
 
18,000 feet is the fixed transition level in the US?
Europe is considering having a fixed level. Some have suggested 10.000' while others say – lets do the same as the US.

Does any of you know why we picked exactly 18.000 feet and not another fixed altitude?

Can you see any advantages or disadvantages of having a lower fixed transition level – for example 10.000ft?

Because unlike in Europe I can actually fly VFR somewhere in my airplane and have the ability to enjoy a nice tailwind and burn less fuel in my friends Mooney Ovaition like I did last night. Went up to 11,500 and were doing 185 KTAS on 14 GPH. In Europe I'd be down below 10, going slower and burning more gas. Which brings up my point. Why should we do whatever ICAO does? Not everything they do is better. Obove case in point.

Why not file and fly IFR you say? Because it was CAVU and I wanted to enjoy some nice music, that's why.
 
Wasn't it established before Alaska counted?

FWIW, pushing it up to 22k (and the class A floor with it) would be great for a lot of glider pilots.
 

Latest resources

Back
Top