Cruising Altitudes
07-02-2007, 05:09 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Lovin' life at .4 (ish) mach
Posts: 1,317
Cruising Altitudes
Hi:
Having problems selecting cruising altitues for VFR XCs. I understand the Hemispheric rules; TC +/- the E/W variation will give either even thousands plus 500 for 180-359 or odd thousands for 360-179, but that's for altitudes above 3000 agl. Am I right so far?
Would I find the highest elevation along my route of flight, add 3k to that to find the lowest altitude for cruise with using hemispheric rule; then figure the even or odd altitude above that and add 500 feet?
For example, if the highest elevation along my flight was 200 feet, the lowest altitude would be 3200 feet for hemispheric rule? Then if I was on a MC of 172 I should cruise at 3700'? Or would it be 3500'
-jsf
ps, are there any checklists for xc planning? I always feel like I'm missing something
Having problems selecting cruising altitues for VFR XCs. I understand the Hemispheric rules; TC +/- the E/W variation will give either even thousands plus 500 for 180-359 or odd thousands for 360-179, but that's for altitudes above 3000 agl. Am I right so far?
Would I find the highest elevation along my route of flight, add 3k to that to find the lowest altitude for cruise with using hemispheric rule; then figure the even or odd altitude above that and add 500 feet?
For example, if the highest elevation along my flight was 200 feet, the lowest altitude would be 3200 feet for hemispheric rule? Then if I was on a MC of 172 I should cruise at 3700'? Or would it be 3500'
-jsf
ps, are there any checklists for xc planning? I always feel like I'm missing something
07-02-2007, 06:12 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: Lav
Posts: 992
Cruising altitudes will always be even or odd thousands and always +nothing or +500. 5000 or 5500....never 5700 unless it's ATC assigned. You should be able to find a ton of x/c planning material on the web.
Heres a good start http://www.geocities.com/cfidarren/r-crosscountry.htm
Heres a good start http://www.geocities.com/cfidarren/r-crosscountry.htm
07-02-2007, 06:36 PM
#3
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Posts: 88
Originally Posted by Squawk_5543
Cruising altitudes will always be even or odd thousands and always +nothing or +500. 5000 or 5500....never 5700 unless it's ATC assigned. You should be able to find a ton of x/c planning material on the web.
Heres a good start http://www.geocities.com/cfidarren/r-crosscountry.htm
Heres a good start http://www.geocities.com/cfidarren/r-crosscountry.htm
07-02-2007, 06:53 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: Lav
Posts: 992
Originally Posted by XcalibeR
Technically, that's not true. Above 3000 AGL, as you said, for a magnetic course 360-179, you would choose an altitude odd thousand+500 (5500, 7500, etc). 180-359, even+500 (4500, 6500, etc.). For 3000 AGL and below, though, you can technically cruise at whatever altitude you feel like (ie. there is nothing prohibiting you from cruising below 3000 AGL, as long as you maintain your ground and obstacle clearances). Reference 91.159. Be that as it may, though, it's probably not the best idea to be heading east at 2500, because I have the feeling most other pilots cruising at 2500 will be flying west--straight at you. One of those "Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's safe" types of things.
Airspeed + Altitude = Life
