Quote:
Originally Posted by DennyP
Ah ok, makes sense. But do all Chinese A/C use meters? If so that ought to be confusing for all the expat pilots who are used to feet
It's not that Chinese aircraft use meters. It's all aircraft flying into China and Russia fly meters.
China:
Below RVSM: ATC assigns altitudes in meters. The pilot can fly meters if his altimeter is capable of displaying meters. Or he can use a chart to convert the meter into feet.
In RVSM: ATC assigns altitudes in meters. The pilot uses a chart to convert the meter into feet. He then flies the aircraft in feet. This is a requirement regardless of whether or not his altimeter can display feet.
It's important to note that all conversions must be made using the chart due to rounding. You can't use a calculator.
It's a little confusing at first, and so is reading back the altitudes in meters but you get used to it.