"Altimeter 29.97"

[FlyingOfficer]

I've got a quick question. When I establish radar contact with an ATC facility, they'll give me an altimeter setting. Am I wrong in saying that all I need to do is readback the altimeter setting or state my callsign?

I have been told that the correct procedure is to read back my indicated altitude with the given altimeter setting.

Which is correct?

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by FlyingOfficer

I've got a quick question. When I establish radar contact with an ATC facility, they'll give me an altimeter setting. Am I wrong in saying that all I need to do is readback the altimeter setting or state my callsign?

I have been told that the correct procedure is to read back my indicated altitude with the given altimeter setting.

Which is correct?

I read back the alt setting and callsign, unless the altitude he showed me at (if he mentioned it) isn't what I'm showing.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by FlyingOfficer

I've got a quick question. When I establish radar contact with an ATC facility, they'll give me an altimeter setting. Am I wrong in saying that all I need to do is readback the altimeter setting or state my callsign?

I have been told that the correct procedure is to read back my indicated altitude with the given altimeter setting.

Which is correct?

I give indicated altitude (and assigned altitude if appropriate) on the initial call, then read back the altimeter setting after receipt.

"Zanzabar approach, Lear One Two Three Alpha Bravo, five thousand five hundred climbing one zero, ten thousand."

"Lear One Two Three Alpha Bravo, Zanzabar approach, roger. Zanzabar altimeter two niner niner seven."

"Two niner niner seven, alpha bravo."

[CN94559]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I give indicated altitude (and assigned altitude if appropriate) on the initial call, then read back the altimeter setting after receipt.

"Zanzabar approach, Lear One Two Three Alpha Bravo, five thousand five hundred climbing one zero, ten thousand."

"Lear One Two Three Alpha Bravo, Zanzabar approach, roger. Zanzabar altimeter two niner niner seven."

"Two niner niner seven, alpha bravo."

[FlyingOfficer]

Okay, that's what I thought, and I hadn't heard any controllers complain thus far. Just wanted to make sure. Thanks!

[DPApilot]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I give indicated altitude (and assigned altitude if appropriate) on the initial call, then read back the altimeter setting after receipt.

"Zanzabar approach, Lear One Two Three Alpha Bravo, five thousand five hundred climbing one zero, ten thousand."

"Lear One Two Three Alpha Bravo, Zanzabar approach, roger. Zanzabar altimeter two niner niner seven."

"Two niner niner seven, alpha bravo."

By the way, how is Zanzabar?

[RICHARD5]

In my experience, it depends on which ATC is handling you. SoCal APP has gotten uppity if I didn't read back the altimeter. SB TRACON treated me like a student if I didn't. ZOAK sometimes did. ZABQ on several occassions expressed their displeasure that I read back the altimeter. ZDEN didn't mind one way or the other. SLC APP screamed at me that they didn't want me to. Seattle seemed confused.

[JaceTheAce]

I just say "97" if it's "29.97". If I am feeling ambitious and uppity I will say "29.97, thanks." They know that it's my voice after I've checked in 2 seconds prior to them saying "Good morning [Airline Callsign] 1234 Allentown altimeter three double-oh seven."

[calcapt]

Since an updated altimeter setting does not constitute a clearance, a full read back is not required. A brief friendly acknowledgment of the update is appropriate.

[bLizZuE]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I give indicated altitude (and assigned altitude if appropriate) on the initial call, then read back the altimeter setting after receipt.

"Zanzabar approach, Lear One Two Three Alpha Bravo, five thousand five hundred climbing one zero, ten thousand."

"Lear One Two Three Alpha Bravo, Zanzabar approach, roger. Zanzabar altimeter two niner niner seven."

"Two niner niner seven, alpha bravo."

I hate to be a stickler, but please ensure you properly shorten your callsign with the AIM recommended last THREE alphanumerics.

4-2-4. Aircraft Call Signs

a. Precautions in the Use of Call Signs.
1. Improper use of call signs can result in pilots executing a clearance intended for another aircraft. Call signs should never be abbreviated on an initial contact or at any time when other aircraft call signs have similar numbers/sounds or identical letters/number; e.g., Cessna 6132F, Cessna 1622F, Baron 123F, Cherokee 7732F, etc.
EXAMPLE-
Assume that a controller issues an approach clearance to an aircraft at the bottom of a holding stack and an aircraft with a similar call sign (at the top of the stack) acknowledges the clearance with the last two or three numbers of the aircraft's call sign. If the aircraft at the bottom of the stack did not hear the clearance and intervene, flight safety would be affected, and there would be no reason for either the controller or pilot to suspect that anything is wrong. This kind of "human factors" error can strike swiftly and is extremely difficult to rectify.
2. Pilots, therefore, must be certain that aircraft identification is complete and clearly identified before taking action on an ATC clearance. ATC specialists will not abbreviate call signs of air carrier or other civil aircraft having authorized call signs. ATC specialists may initiate abbreviated call signs of other aircraft by using the prefix and the last three digits/letters of the aircraft identification after communications are established. The pilot may use the abbreviated call sign in subsequent contacts with the ATC specialist. When aware of similar/identical call signs, ATC specialists will take action to minimize errors by emphasizing certain numbers/letters, by repeating the entire call sign, by repeating the prefix, or by asking pilots to use a different call sign temporarily. Pilots should use the phrase "VERIFY CLEARANCE FOR (your complete call sign)" if doubt exists concerning proper identity.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by bLizZuE

I hate to be a stickler, but please ensure you properly shorten your callsign with the AIM recommended last THREE alphanumerics.

Yep. The other mistake in my example was using a shortened call sign prior to ATC doing so.

[Binger]

I work approach and not center, so it may be different. If an arrival is calling inbound and gives their altitude and states the appropriate ATIS, I don't give an altimeter. If it's an overflight I give the altimiter but don't really expect anything but "roger".

[pwttogfk]

Originally Posted by RICHARD5

Seattle seemed confused.

The folks working 127.1 and 120.1 always seem a bit out of it in general

[davolijj]

Originally Posted by bLizZuE

I hate to be a stickler, but please ensure you properly shorten your callsign with the AIM recommended last THREE alphanumerics.

Where I work, frequency congestion is a problem due to the high volume of traffic we work. In my opinion the less a pilot says on the frequency, the better. I'd prefer a readback as "alpha bravo," rather than the by the book abbreviated call sign - especially then the readback is for a non-control instruction. A simple "roger" would also be fine with me.

I think you got the right idea SteveC.

[rherrick]

Originally Posted by pwttogfk

The folks working 127.1 and 120.1 always seem a bit out of it in general

Hey now, watch you language...if you were talking to student pilots all the time in that sector I'd be out of it too...

[Cheezypoof]

Regulation wise a pilot does not have to read the altimeter back, I'd think if your landing at an airport doing an IAP confirming the altimeter is more important just because of operations closer to the ground. At the center it seems that we could care less, if you have the wrong altimeter in, you will show up consistently 100 feet high or low and we will say something.

Phraseology... take notes from Steve O.
No need for "out of" or "leaving" unless your on a pilot discretion climb or descent.

[pwttogfk]

Originally Posted by rherrick

Hey now, watch you language...if you were talking to student pilots all the time in that sector I'd be out of it too...

Haha yeah, PWT, TIW, and OLM pretty much are saturated with IFR training--it takes forever for me to get a word in edgewise on the RCO to copy my clearance!

[dasleben]

Correct way: "29.97, [callsign]"

Relaxed way: "97, thanks"

Professional way: "Ah rogaaaaaaah!"

[ATC RET 2003]

It was all good with me as long as the pilot said "niner" rather than nine. For example:

ATC: Good morning, Transplanetary ten oh five, altimeter three zero zero two.

TPY1005: Niner.

[subpilot]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I give indicated altitude (and assigned altitude if appropriate) on the initial call, then read back the altimeter setting after receipt.

"Zanzabar approach, Lear One Two Three Alpha Bravo, five thousand five hundred climbing one zero, ten thousand."

"Lear One Two Three Alpha Bravo, Zanzabar approach, roger. Zanzabar altimeter two niner niner seven."

"Two niner niner seven, alpha bravo."

I know this is slightly off topic and no disrespect, I have heard this a lot and just wanted a controllers/ other pilots opinion on this.
On the altitude statement "climbing one zero, ten thousand," isn't that saying the same thing twice.

What is correct / preferred ( if there is a preference?):

...climbing one zero thousand, or
...climbing one zero, ten thousand?

I personally do the first and dislike the second.

[davolijj]

I work at a center, and I prefer the first one. The second one is....well let's put it this way, "hello department of redundancy department."

The only time you'll hear me saying "one zero, ten thousand" is for clarification or emphasis - like when someone keeps screwing up a readback. It really bugs me when I'm sitting next to someone and they keep saying, "...contact Houston center on one three two point seven, thirty-two seven."

[JJink]

Originally Posted by FlyingOfficer

I've got a quick question. When I establish radar contact with an ATC facility, they'll give me an altimeter setting. Am I wrong in saying that all I need to do is readback the altimeter setting or state my callsign?

I have been told that the correct procedure is to read back my indicated altitude with the given altimeter setting.

Which is correct?

Too much info to read back...........I just click the mic.

No but seriously if you haven't given them the ATIS code then I would read back the Alt setting and call sign but not my altitude. A roger will do as well.

[BajtheJino]

Originally Posted by davolijj

I work at a center, and I prefer the first one. The second one is....well let's put it this way, "hello department of redundancy department."

The only time you'll hear me saying "one zero, ten thousand" is for clarification or emphasis - like when someone keeps screwing up a readback. It really bugs me when I'm sitting next to someone and they keep saying, "...contact Houston center on one three two point seven, thirty-two seven."

That redundancy department is part of my company's SOP. You gotta remember there are people flying around out there with some crappy headsets in loud airplanes. If it makes a clearance clearer whats the problem? It covers our respective asses does it not? Besides, Memphis never really gets that busy that you can't read back a clearance with exact clarity.
On a side note-Can't we just drop the 1 (one) when getting frequency changes? It confuses me.

[davolijj]

Originally Posted by BajtheJino

That redundancy department is part of my company's SOP. You gotta remember there are people flying around out there with some crappy headsets in loud airplanes.

It actually specifies you have to say "one zero, ten thousand?" I think that's going a little overboard. I understand about the crappy headset loud airplane thing but repitition is not always the better option.

Originally Posted by BajtheJino

If it makes a clearance clearer whats the problem? It covers our respective asses does it not? Besides, Memphis never really gets that busy that you can't read back a clearance with exact clarity.

Last night I had 24 aircraft on my frequecy at once in a small high altitude sector, all of whom were deviating and most of who had a question or request. Nah we never get that busy at Memphis. I'm all for reading back a clearance with exact clarity - I prefer it. What I don't prefer are redundant or superfluous transmissions on a very busy frequency. I don't even want to hear you check in when it gets that busy. I know you're required to but I'd rather have you just monitor the frequency and pay attention.

Originally Posted by BajtheJino

On a side note-Can't we just drop the 1 (one) when getting frequency changes? It confuses me.

I don't understand that either. I'm with you on that one.

[Codyjp]

Originally Posted by dasleben

Correct way: "29.97, [callsign]"

Relaxed way: "97, thanks"

Professional way: "Ah rogaaaaaaah!"

Yes, perfect, but makes sure to include enough hesitation in the 'ahhh, roooggggerrrrr' to make sure that you have sufficient time to actually tune your altimeter while making the read back. If you can some how manage to make a sound to indicate your making the adjustment even better!!

Ok, time for bed

Seriously though, I use "thanks, 3AB" instead of "roger 3AB" it acknowledges understanding and compliance but seems a bit friendlier and that is a good thing.