ALTIMETER SETTING PROCEDURES

General
 

1- The Transition Altitude is fixed at 13000 FT AMSL for the entire Kuwait FIR. The Transition Level is fixed at FL150 for the entire Kuwait FIR.
 

2- Vertical positioning of aircraft when at or below the transition altitude is expressed in terms of altitude whereas such positioning at or above the transition level is expressed in terms of flight level, While passing through the transition layer, vertical positioning is expressed in terms of altitudes when descending, and in terms of flight levels when ascending.
 

3- Flight Level Zero is located at the atmospheric pressure level of 1013.2 hPa (29.92 IN). Consecutive Flight Levels are separated by a pressure interval corresponding to 500 FT in the Standard Atmosphere below FL 290, and by a pressure interval corresponding to 1 000 FT above FL 290, Simultaneous flight at both the Transitional Altitude and the Transition Level is permissible as a minimum of 1 000 FT separation exists between the two layers, however, level flight within the Transition layer is not permitted.
 

Take-off and climb
 

1- A QNH altimeter setting is made available to aircraft in taxi clearance prior to take-off.
 

2- Vertical positioning of aircraft during climb, is expressed in terms of altitudes until reaching the transition altitude, above which vertical positioning is expressed in terms of flight levels.

Vertical separation En-route
Vertical separation En-route
 

* Vertical separation during en-route flight shall be expressed in terms of flight levels at all times during an IFR flight.


Approach and landing
Approach and landing
 

*A QNH altimeter setting is made available in approach clearances and in clearances to enter the traffic circuit.
 

1- Vertical positioning of aircraft during approach is controlled by reference to Flight Levels until reaching the Transition level, below which vertical positioning is controlled by reference to altitudes.
 

2- QFE altimeter setting will be given on request at Kuwait airport.


DESCRIPTION OF ALTIMETER SETTING REGION
DESCRIPTION OF ALTIMETER SETTING REGION
 

*There is a signal altimeter pressure setting region which covers the entire Kuwait FIR.

PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO OPERATORS, INCLUDING PILOTS
PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO OPERATORS, INCLUDING PILOTS
 

*The levels at which flight is to be conducted shall be specified in a Flight plan:
 

a) in terms of Flight Levels, if the flight is to be conducted at or above the Transition Levels, and
 

b) in terms of altitudes if the flight is to be conducted in the vicinity of an aerodrome, and at or below the Transition Altitude.
 

Note 1: Short flights in the vicinity of an aerodrome may often be conducted only at altitudes below the transition altitude.
 

Note 2: Flight levels are specified in a plan by number, and not in terms of feet as is the case with altitudes.
KUWAIT AIP (GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES - ENR 1.7)


4.10 ALTIMETER SETTING PROCEDURES
 

* Expression of vertical position of aircraft
 

(4.10.1.1)1- For flights in the vicinity of aerodromes and within terminal control areas the vertical position of aircraft shall, except as provided for in 4.10.1.2, be expressed in terms of altitudes at or below the transition altitude and in terms of flight levels at or above the transition level. While passing through the transition layer, vertical position shall be expressed in terms of flight levels when climbing and in terms of altitudes when descending.
 

2- When an aircraft which has been given clearance to land is completing its approach using atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation (QFE), the vertical position of the aircraft shall be expressed in terms of height above aerodrome elevation during that portion of its flight for which QFE may be used, except that it shall be expressed in terms of height above runway threshold elevation:
 

a) for instrument runways, if the threshold is 2 m (7 ft) or more below the aerodrome elevation; and
 

b) for precision approach runways.
 

3- For flights en route, the vertical position of aircraft shall be expressed in terms of:
 

a) flight levels at or above the lowest usable flight level; and
 

b) altitudes below the lowest usable flight level; except where, on the basis of regional air navigation agreements, a transition altitude has been established for a specified area, in which case the provisions of 4.10.1.1 shall apply.
Determination of the transition level
 

1- The appropriate ATS unit shall establish the transition level to be used in the vicinity of the aerodrome(s) concerned and, when relevant, the terminal control area (TMA) concerned, for the appropriate period of time on the basis of QNH (altimeter subscale setting to obtain elevation when on the ground) reports and forecast mean sea level pressure, if required.
 

2- The transition level shall be the lowest flight level available for use above the transition altitude established for the aerodrome(s) concerned. Where a common transition altitude has been established for two or more aerodromes which are so closely located as to require coordinated procedures, the appropriate ATS units shall establish a common transition level to be used at any given time in the vicinity of the aerodrome and, when relevant, in the TMA concerned.
 

Note.— See 4.10.3.2 regarding the determination of the lowest usable flight level(s) for control areas.
 

Minimum cruising level for IFR flights
 

1- Except when specifically authorized by the appropriate authority, cruising levels below the minimum flight altitudes established by the State shall not be assigned.
 

2- ATC units shall, when circumstances warrant it, determine the lowest usable flight level or levels for the whole or parts of the control area for which they are responsible, use it when assigning flight levels and pass it to pilots on request.
 

Note 1.— Unless otherwise prescribed by the State concerned, the lowest usable flight level is that flight level which corresponds to, or is immediately above, the established minimum flight altitude.

Note 2.— The portion of a control area for which a particular lowest usable flight level applies is determined in accordance with air traffic services requirements.

Note 3.— The objectives of the air traffic control service as prescribed in Annex 11 do not include prevention of collision with terrain. The procedures prescribed in this document do not relieve pilots of their responsibility to ensure that any clearances issued by air traffic control units are safe in this respect. When an IFR flight is vectored or is given a direct routing which takes the aircraft off an ATS route, the procedures in Chapter 8, 8.6.5.2 apply.

Note 4.— The portion of a control area for which a particular lowest usable flight level applies is determined in accordance with air traffic services requirements.

Note 5.— The objectives of the air traffic control service as prescribed in Annex 11 do not include prevention of collision with terrain. The procedures prescribed in this document do not relieve pilots of their responsibility to ensure that any clearances issued by air traffic control units are safe in this respect. When an IFR flight is vectored or is given a direct routing which takes the aircraft off an ATS route, the procedures in Chapter 8, 8.6.5.2 apply.

Provision of altimeter setting information

1- Appropriate ATS units shall at all times have available for transmission to aircraft in flight, on request, the information required to determine the lowest flight level which will ensure adequate terrain clearance on routes or segments of routes for which this information is required.

Note.— If so prescribed on the basis of regional air navigation agreements, this information may consist of climatological data.

2- Flight information centres and ACCs shall have available for transmission to aircraft, on request, an appropriate number of QNH reports or forecast pressures for the FIRs and control areas for which they are responsible, and for those adjacent.

3- The flight crew shall be provided with the transition level in due time prior to reaching it during descent. This may be accomplished by voice communications, ATIS broadcast or data link.

4- The transition level shall be included in approach clearances when so prescribed by the appropriate authority or requested by the pilot.

5- A QNH altimeter setting shall be included in the descent clearance when first cleared to an altitude below the transition level, in approach clearances or clearances to enter the traffic circuit, and in taxi clearances for departing aircraft, except when it is known that the aircraft has already received the information.

6- A QFE altimeter setting shall be provided to aircraft on request or on a regular basis in accordance with local arrangements; it shall be the QFE for the aerodrome elevation except for:

a) non-precision approach runways, if the threshold is 2 m (7 ft) or more below the aerodrome elevation; and

b) precision approach runways; in which cases the QFE for the relevant runway threshold shall be provided.

7- Altimeter settings provided to aircraft shall be rounded down to the nearest lower whole hectopascal.

Note 1.— Unless otherwise prescribed by the State concerned, the lowest usable flight level is that flight level which corresponds to, or is immediately above, the established minimum flight altitude.

Note 2.— The portion of a control area for which a particular lowest usable flight level applies is determined in accordance with air traffic services requirements.

DOC 4444 (4.10)by Mustafa Altarrah
4.10 ALTIMETER SETTING PROCEDURES

* Expression of vertical position of aircraft
(4.10.1.1)1- For flights in the vicinity of aerodromes and within terminal control areas the vertical position of aircraft shall, except as provided for in 4.10.1.2, be expressed in terms of altitudes at or below the transition altitude and in terms of flight levels at or above the transition level. While passing through the transition layer, vertical position shall be expressed in terms of flight levels when climbing and in terms of altitudes when descending.

 

2- When an aircraft which has been given clearance to land is completing its approach using atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation (QFE), the vertical position of the aircraft shall be expressed in terms of height above aerodrome elevation during that portion of its flight for which QFE may be used, except that it shall be expressed in terms of height above runway threshold elevation:

 

a) for instrument runways, if the threshold is 2 m (7 ft) or more below the aerodrome elevation; and

 

b) for precision approach runways.

 

3- For flights en route, the vertical position of aircraft shall be expressed in terms of:

 

a) flight levels at or above the lowest usable flight level; and

 

b) altitudes below the lowest usable flight level; except where, on the basis of regional air navigation agreements, a transition altitude has been established for a specified area, in which case the provisions of 4.10.1.1 shall apply.

 

Determination of the transition level

 

1- The appropriate ATS unit shall establish the transition level to be used in the vicinity of the aerodrome(s) concerned and, when relevant, the terminal control area (TMA) concerned, for the appropriate period of time on the basis of QNH (altimeter subscale setting to obtain elevation when on the ground) reports and forecast mean sea level pressure, if required.

 

2- The transition level shall be the lowest flight level available for use above the transition altitude established for the aerodrome(s) concerned. Where a common transition altitude has been established for two or more aerodromes which are so closely located as to require coordinated procedures, the appropriate ATS units shall establish a common transition level to be used at any given time in the vicinity of the aerodrome and, when relevant, in the TMA concerned.

 

Note.— See 4.10.3.2 regarding the determination of the lowest usable flight level(s) for control areas.

 

Minimum cruising level for IFR flights

 

1- Except when specifically authorized by the appropriate authority, cruising levels below the minimum flight altitudes established by the State shall not be assigned.

 

2- ATC units shall, when circumstances warrant it, determine the lowest usable flight level or levels for the whole or parts of the control area for which they are responsible, use it when assigning flight levels and pass it to pilots on request.

 

Note 1.— Unless otherwise prescribed by the State concerned, the lowest usable flight level is that flight level which corresponds to, or is immediately above, the established minimum flight altitude.

 

Note 2.— The portion of a control area for which a particular lowest usable flight level applies is determined in accordance with air traffic services requirements.

 

Note 3.— The objectives of the air traffic control service as prescribed in Annex 11 do not include prevention of collision with terrain. The procedures prescribed in this document do not relieve pilots of their responsibility to ensure that any clearances issued by air traffic control units are safe in this respect. When an IFR flight is vectored or is given a direct routing which takes the aircraft off an ATS route, the procedures in Chapter 8, 8.6.5.2 apply.

 

Note 4.— The portion of a control area for which a particular lowest usable flight level applies is determined in accordance with air traffic services requirements.

 

Note 5.— The objectives of the air traffic control service as prescribed in Annex 11 do not include prevention of collision with terrain. The procedures prescribed in this document do not relieve pilots of their responsibility to ensure that any clearances issued by air traffic control units are safe in this respect. When an IFR flight is vectored or is given a direct routing which takes the aircraft off an ATS route, the procedures in Chapter 8, 8.6.5.2 apply.

Provision of altimeter setting information

 

1- Appropriate ATS units shall at all times have available for transmission to aircraft in flight, on request, the information required to determine the lowest flight level which will ensure adequate terrain clearance on routes or segments of routes for which this information is required.

 

Note.— If so prescribed on the basis of regional air navigation agreements, this information may consist of climatological data.

 

2- Flight information centres and ACCs shall have available for transmission to aircraft, on request, an appropriate number of QNH reports or forecast pressures for the FIRs and control areas for which they are responsible, and for those adjacent.

 

3- The flight crew shall be provided with the transition level in due time prior to reaching it during descent. This may be accomplished by voice communications, ATIS broadcast or data link.

 

4- The transition level shall be included in approach clearances when so prescribed by the appropriate authority or requested by the pilot.

 

5- A QNH altimeter setting shall be included in the descent clearance when first cleared to an altitude below the transition level, in approach clearances or clearances to enter the traffic circuit, and in taxi clearances for departing aircraft, except when it is known that the aircraft has already received the information.

 

6- A QFE altimeter setting shall be provided to aircraft on request or on a regular basis in accordance with local arrangements; it shall be the QFE for the aerodrome elevation except for:

 

a) non-precision approach runways, if the threshold is 2 m (7 ft) or more below the aerodrome elevation; and

 

b) precision approach runways; in which cases the QFE for the relevant runway threshold shall be provided.

 

7- Altimeter settings provided to aircraft shall be rounded down to the nearest lower whole hectopascal.

 

Note 1.— Unless otherwise prescribed by the State concerned, the lowest usable flight level is that flight level which corresponds to, or is immediately above, the established minimum flight altitude.

 

Note 2.— The portion of a control area for which a particular lowest usable flight level applies is determined in accordance with air traffic services requirements.

 

DOC 4444 (4.10)by Mustafa Altarrah