ENR 1.7 ALTIMETER SETTING PROCEDURES
1. Introduction
The altimeter setting procedures in use generally conform to those contained in ICAO Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Aircraft Operations (ICAO Doc 8168, OPS/611 (PANS-OPS)) Vol. I. Part III. Section 1.
These procedures are applied to all IFR and VFR flights operating within the Budapest FIR.
The atmospheric pressure is measured in accordance with ICAO Annex 3 Chapter 4, paragraph 4.11.
QNH and QFE values are computed in tenths of a hectopascal (hPa). On pilots' request it may be given in millimetres and tenths.
In routine reports disseminated at the aerodrome, QNH is included regularly while QFE is available on request from ATS units.
The values are rounded to the nearest lower whole hectopascal. For example, QNH 995.6 hPa is given as “QNH 995".
In plain language reports ((ATIS and VOLMET) broadcast), the unit of measurement (hPa) is omitted.
2. Basic altimeter setting procedures
2.1 General
2.1.1 Transition altitude
The transition altitude specified for the Budapest FIR is 10 000 FT (3 050 M).
2.1.2 Transition level
The transition level will be determined by the appropriate ATC unit so as to give a transition layer of at least 1000 FT (300 M) vertical separation above the transition altitude.
For determination of current transition level the following table is used.
| Transition altitude | QNH hPa | Transition level | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feet | Meters | ||
| 10 000 | 3 050 | 1013.3 and above | FL110 |
| 1013.2 - 977.2 | FL120 | ||
| 977.1 and below | FL130 | ||
The transition level at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport is normally transmitted in the ATIS broadcast, or is advised in the clearances as appropriate.
2.2 Take-off and climb
The QNH value for the altimeter setting is normally transmitted in the ATIS broadcast, or is advised in start- up clearance as appropriate.
2.3 Vertical separation - en route
2.3.1 Terrain clearance
- The QNH altimeter setting and temperature information are included in routine reports for use in determining adequate terrain clearance. These data are transmitted normally in ATIS and VOLMET broadcasts and are also available on request from ATIS units.
- ATC units determine the lowest usable flight level for the whole of the part of the control area for which they are responsible, use it when assigning flight levels and pass it to pilots on request.
Note: The objectives of the ATC services as prescribed in ICAO Annex 11, do not include the prevention of collision with terrain. The procedures prescribed above do not, therefore, relieve the pilots‘ of their responsibility of ensuring that any clearances issued by ATC units are safe in the respect, except when an IFR flight is vectored by radar.
- When vectoring an IFR flight, the radar controller shall ensure adequate terrain clearance at all times until the aircraft reaches the point at which the pilot will resume his/her own navigation.
2.4 Approach and landing
The QFE value given in clearances of ATC units shall be related to the threshold elevation of the runway in use.
E.g.: QUEBEC - FOXTROT - ECHO FOR RUNWAY THREE - ONE - RIGHT IS NINER - NINER - TWO
Note: This does not preclude the use of the QFE altimeter setting by a pilot for terrain clearance purposes during the final approach.
3. Description of altimeter setting region(s)
The QNH value determined for Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport is used as the “regional QNH” within the Budapest FIR.
The “local QNH” values are used within CTR and TIZ airspaces.
4. Procedures applicable to operators (including pilots)
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