Block Altitude

I am frustrated with my IFR training references.

In the past I have requested, received and used a clearance for a block
altitude while on an IFR flight plan. Can anyone tell me where the FAA
defines what a clearance for a block altitude is?

Thanks,
G

The Glossary of FAA-H-8083-15A, Instrument Flying Handbook, defines Block
altitude as, "A block of altitudes assigned by ATC to allow altitude
deviations; for example, “Maintain block altitude 9 to 11 thousand.”

In the section on Turbulence it says, "When moderate to severe turbulence is
encountered, aircraft control is difficult, and a great deal of
concentration is required to maintain an instrument scan. ... If necessary,
the pilot should advise ATC of the fluctuations and request a block altitude
clearance."

Order 7110.65R, Air Traffic Control, give the example phraseology, "MAINTAIN
BLOCK (altitude) THROUGH (altitude)."

Not sure this answers your question, but hope it helps.

Jon

"Gordy" <gyoung01@rochester.> wrote in message
news:4753460e$0$28819$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>I am frustrated with my IFR training references.
>
> In the past I have requested, received and used a clearance for a block
> altitude while on an IFR flight plan. Can anyone tell me where the FAA
> defines what a clearance for a block altitude is?
>
> Thanks,
> G
>

Jon,

Thank you!

I don't know how I missed the definition in the glossary. I looked again and
there it was.

G

A pilot can request a "block altitude" whenever the flight operation needs
more than
±100 feet from an assigned altitude, such as while doing flight testing,
stalls and such. In high traffic areas, such a clearance will usually not
be issued, except as needed for separation due to turbulence, but off
airways and traffic permitting it is a routine procedure. A "cruise
clearance" is a form of block altitude clearance.




--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFII-ASMELI, A&P
BE400/BE1900-BE300

"Gordy" <gyoung01@rochester.> wrote in message
news:4753460e$0$28819$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
|I am frustrated with my IFR training references.
|
| In the past I have requested, received and used a clearance for a block
| altitude while on an IFR flight plan. Can anyone tell me where the FAA
| defines what a clearance for a block altitude is?
|
| Thanks,
| G
|
|

In article <UrWdnf4xzowoyc7anZ2dnUVZ_gSdnZ2d@>,
"Jon Woellhaf" <jonwoellhaf@> wrote:

> The Glossary of FAA-H-8083-15A, Instrument Flying Handbook, defines Block
> altitude as, "A block of altitudes assigned by ATC to allow altitude
> deviations; for example, “Maintain block altitude 9 to 11 thousand.”
>
> In the section on Turbulence it says, "When moderate to severe turbulence is
> encountered, aircraft control is difficult, and a great deal of
> concentration is required to maintain an instrument scan. ... If necessary,
> the pilot should advise ATC of the fluctuations and request a block altitude
> clearance."

Other reasons to request block altitudes:

1) Training purposes. On IFR X/C legs, I've asked for block altitudes so I
could take advantage of the time to teach a student how the autopilot works.

2) It's just plain fun to zip along right at the cloud tops :-)

On 12/02/07 18:53, Roy Smith wrote:
> In article <UrWdnf4xzowoyc7anZ2dnUVZ_gSdnZ2d@>,
> "Jon Woellhaf" <jonwoellhaf@> wrote:
>
>> The Glossary of FAA-H-8083-15A, Instrument Flying Handbook, defines Block
>> altitude as, "A block of altitudes assigned by ATC to allow altitude
>> deviations; for example, �Maintain block altitude 9 to 11 thousand.�
>>
>> In the section on Turbulence it says, "When moderate to severe turbulence is
>> encountered, aircraft control is difficult, and a great deal of
>> concentration is required to maintain an instrument scan. ... If necessary,
>> the pilot should advise ATC of the fluctuations and request a block altitude
>> clearance."
>
> Other reasons to request block altitudes:
>
> 1) Training purposes. On IFR X/C legs, I've asked for block altitudes so I
> could take advantage of the time to teach a student how the autopilot works.
>
> 2) It's just plain fun to zip along right at the cloud tops :-)

Of course, you have to watch out for two things popping up out of those
clouds: airplanes and birds ;-\

I've read stories about the first, and seen the second personally.

However, I know what you mean: There is just nothing like it in the world!


--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane, USUA Ultralight Pilot
Cal Aggie Flying Farmers
Sacramento, CA

Jim Macklin wrote:
.. A "cruise
> clearance" is a form of block altitude clearance.
>

Not the same. With block altitudes I can climb and descent over and
over. On a cruise clearance can stop on the way down, but not climb again.

"Sam Spade" <sam@coldmail.com> wrote in message
news:ztU4j.14743$so3.4235@newsfe18.lga...
>
> Not the same. With block altitudes I can climb and descent over and over.
> On a cruise clearance can stop on the way down, but not climb again.
>

You can climb again if you have not verbally reported leaving an altitude in
descent.

Sam Spade wrote:
> Jim Macklin wrote:
> . A "cruise
>> clearance" is a form of block altitude clearance.
>>
>
> Not the same. With block altitudes I can climb and descent over and
> over. On a cruise clearance can stop on the way down, but not climb again.

I don't think that's right. Once you report leaving an altitude, you
can't go back to it, but otherwise there is no restriction, and there is
no requirement to report, except to report leaving an *assigned* altitude.

Can climb until you report out of an altitude.



"Sam Spade" <sam@coldmail.com> wrote in message
news:ztU4j.14743$so3.4235@newsfe18.lga...
| Jim Macklin wrote:
| . A "cruise
| > clearance" is a form of block altitude clearance.
| >
|
| Not the same. With block altitudes I can climb and descent over and
| over. On a cruise clearance can stop on the way down, but not climb
again.