Advice - Pilots & Controllers

WHAT CAN YOU, AS A PILOT, DO TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF HAVING A LEVEL BUST?

• Follow SOPs – they are the first defence against busting a level

• Increase vigilance, particularly in the TMAs and where traffic density is high

• If in doubt about a clearance, confirm on the R/T, not with your colleague

• Avoid non-essential tasks (e.g. passenger announcements) which remove a crew member from the R/T communications loop

• Report your cleared level on first contact on a new frequency, unless specifically requested not to

• Be aware, when the atmospheric pressure is very low, that the difference between an altitude of, for example, 6000’ and FL70 may not be very much

• Pay special attention to SID charts, particularly at airports where the SID involves a stepped climb. Brief thoroughly

• Think about the company’s Safety Management System – does it help to prevent Level Busts? An open and honest culture is vital

• File a report on any Level Bust, even if separation or safety was not compromised

WHAT CAN YOU, AS A CONTROLLER, DO TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF HAVING A LEVEL BUST?

• Increase vigilance, particularly in TMAs where traffic density is high

• File a report on any Level Bust, even if separation or safety was not compromised

• If in doubt about a readback, confirm on the R/T

• Handle foreign, unfamiliar operators with care

• Use clear and unambiguous standard phraseology

• Avoid multiple instructions

• Pay particular attention to readbacks

• Restate cleared level when asking requested level

• Avoid reference to level if giving information on traffic

• Use heading instructions that end in ‘5’, or use the word ‘degrees’ if the heading has to end in ‘0’

• Confirm the cleared level on first contact with an aircraft

• Think about your unit’s Safety Management System – does it help to prevent Level Busts? An open and honest culture is vital