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How to decode Russian METAR's

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How to decode Russian METAR's

Old 04-26-2009, 08:27 PM
  #11  
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Default Think it Varies

Wasp:

I think it depends where in China you are flying.

I only did Hong Kong (quite a few times) and Shanghai (once). We practiced in the sim for recurrent using mm of Hg, and metric flight levels. Push the button, yes, but there was round-off error, as I recall, for setting the altitude window on the autopilot (which stayed in feet).

I believe we were told that it depended on the sector/FIR/UIR, and the more interior you went into the country, the more it became metric.

On the subject of accents: I was really surprised that the Shanghai controllers--who have really only been working with English for less than a decade---had far better English than the Japanese at the boundary hand-off----and they have been working with English since 1945.
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Old 04-26-2009, 09:11 PM
  #12  
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Sorry I should have caught that. China does use QNH but uses metric altitudes (RVSM flight levels differ from russia) and HKG uses QNH and normal flight levels.
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Old 04-27-2009, 03:14 PM
  #13  
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This is very interesting. I had NO idea that there was such a thing as QFE.

As far as that scenario about descending to 3000ft, I don't see how that is still practiced in the world. It seems like it is a deadly scenario. I'd probably kill myself if I went over there and did that. Why wouldn't other countries just convert to a system like we have? Isn't it less about technology and more about just general practice?

Do those countries still have a transitional altitude like 18,000ft?
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Old 04-27-2009, 03:56 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by oicur12 View Post
Hey ye all.

I recently required a russian metar for the first time and could not decode some of the info.

Does anybody know what this means?

QFE747/996 and MT OBSC.
If you want a CD-ROM, or portion thereof, which has everything one could possibly expect in the "Confederated States", i.e., the former Soviet Republic, please send me a PM.

Our B-757 has made numerous trips to all parts of the country, without a single hitch.

Hope I can help you.

G'Day Mate
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Old 04-27-2009, 04:02 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by DublinFlyer View Post
This is very interesting. I had NO idea that there was such a thing as QFE.

As far as that scenario about descending to 3000ft, I don't see how that is still practiced in the world. It seems like it is a deadly scenario. I'd probably kill myself if I went over there and did that. Why wouldn't other countries just convert to a system like we have? Isn't it less about technology and more about just general practice?

Do those countries still have a transitional altitude like 18,000ft?
Actually, there is one country that seems to be the "odd man out" as far as conforming to the rest of the world....the U.S.

If you look at what ICAO standards other states have adopted in their aviation practices, you'll soon find we are the "different folks".

As for "transition levels", they vary by states but can be as low as 2-3,000 ft AGL...or even lower. As for your decent, it would be descend to FL30 in the example you cited.

G'Day Mates
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Old 04-27-2009, 04:32 PM
  #16  
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Yep you are right. Finally the FAA is realizing it cost too much money to be "different". We already see some changes to conform to ICAO standards ie: international flight plan for RNAV SID/STAR
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Old 05-01-2009, 12:39 AM
  #17  
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Hey all,

Thanks very much for the input. Very helpfull indeed.

There are several traps I have found wrt Russia - I only overfly but I would like to fully understand the various differences as many of our ETOPS diverts are in Russia.

Phantom Flyer, thankyou for your kind offer but I have tracked down a few different decode sources and I think I have it covered. The only one I cant find in print is the mountain obscured. Not to worry.

Another Russian METAR code is SARA 31 RUMS. And also Q10 BJS AGCA

Any ideas?

thanks again.
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Old 05-01-2009, 01:05 AM
  #18  
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Also, I forgot to ask if anybody here operates an Airbus (330/340) into russia using QFE. FCOM states vaguely that you cannot use managed non precision approach if using QFE. Am I reading this correctly. Also, what do you put in the fmgc perf approach page for minimums - dh or da?

Thanks again.

PS some ports in china still use QFE but the major ports are all now QNH.
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Old 05-01-2009, 02:59 PM
  #19  
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The only places I've landed in China have been HK and PVG, must drive the locals crazy when procedures vary in the country.

I remember when American first started taking off-line jumpseaters, they were still using QFE. Part of their "Welcome aboard" was "We do this strange stuff, don't freak while we're on approach."
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Old 02-23-2017, 11:28 PM
  #20  
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Hi all,

From February 2017, Russia is now changing to use QNH and Feet below the Transition Level. The first airport to use this is ULLI/St. Petersburg.

See: Big change: Russia finally moving to QNH - International Ops 2017

Cheers
Jim
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