NJA_Capt
Well-Known Member
Since the Wright brothers first put a CB radio in the Wright flyer , Pilots have joked that you guys wait until we level off before handing us off. We generally just laughed at the coincidence and moved on. But for the last few years it actually seems to have become procedure because it has become predictable and consistent. So I was just wondering if there was actually a directive passed down for this occurrence?
Another observation is that ARTCC doesn't judge climb rates relative to handoffs and level offs. Several times lately I have been given amended altitudes w/i 500' of the new altitude, not taking into account that we were climbing at 4000-5000 fpm. It takes a lot of space to make a 1G level off from 5000 fpm. Many times, the AP begins a level off 2000-3000' before the level off altitude. Not to mention the massive power reduction required (near idle). I just don't want you to think we are being pushy "looking for higher." We just have to plan way ahead to be able to manage inertia and keep it comfortable for the pax.
My thanks to the guys in IAH a few months ago.....We made it to FL410 before we left the lateral limits of the Class B (although it wasn't exactly a straight line out).
Another observation is that ARTCC doesn't judge climb rates relative to handoffs and level offs. Several times lately I have been given amended altitudes w/i 500' of the new altitude, not taking into account that we were climbing at 4000-5000 fpm. It takes a lot of space to make a 1G level off from 5000 fpm. Many times, the AP begins a level off 2000-3000' before the level off altitude. Not to mention the massive power reduction required (near idle). I just don't want you to think we are being pushy "looking for higher." We just have to plan way ahead to be able to manage inertia and keep it comfortable for the pax.
My thanks to the guys in IAH a few months ago.....We made it to FL410 before we left the lateral limits of the Class B (although it wasn't exactly a straight line out).