 Re: "Say Altitude"
I might add that if you're climbing out at 5000 fpm, you might lag the altitude report slightly.
Otherwise, it'll never be within 300 feet of the mode C (which only updates with the speed of the radar antenna... 6 second approach, 12 seconds center).
Also, if you're in a mega slow climb (like 500fpm or less), if you're talking to center and get within 250 feet of your assigned altitude.... you're level. The center computer software stops displaying mode C within 300 feet of your final assigned altitude.
As a side note, Alaska Airlines used to (maybe still?) take advantage of this feature by letting the plane drift up or down 200 feet in level flight.
If your mode C is off by over 300 feet, the controller is supposed to tell you, "altitude differs by more than 300 feet, stop altitude squawk."
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