ENR 1.7  ALTIMETER SETTING PROCEDURES

1  INTRODUCTION

The Altimeter Setting Procedures in use generally conform to those contained in ICAO Doc 8168 - Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Aircraft Operations (PANS-OPS).

Transition altitudes are presented on the instrument approach charts.

QNH reports and temperature information for use in determining adequate terrain clearance are provided in MET broadcasts. QNH values are given in Hectopascals.

2  BASIC ALTIMETER SETTING PROCEDURES

2.1  General
2.1.1 A transition altitude is specified as 5 000 FT MSL in Vilnius FIR.
2.1.2 The transition level at international airports is normally transmitted by ATIS. If the transition level is not transmitted by ATIS, it will be provided by appropriate ATC unit.
2.1.3 Flight level (the altimeter is set for pressure of 1013.2 HPA) - when an aircraft is at transition flight level or above, or when an aircraft crosses the transition altitude in climb.
2.1.4 Altitude (the altimeter is set to QNH) - when an aircraft is at transition altitude or lower, or when it crosses the transition level in descent.
2.1.5 Vertical positioning of aircraft when at or below the transition altitude is expressed in terms of altitude whereas such positioning at or above the transition level is expressed in terms of flight levels. While passing through the transition layer, vertical positioning is expressed in terms of altitude when descending, and in terms of flight levels when ascending.
2.1.6 Flight level zero is located at the atmospheric pressure level of 1013.2 HPA (29.92 inches). Consecutive flight levels are separated by a pressure interval corresponding to 500 feet (152.4 metres) in the Standard Atmosphere.

Note 1. Differences between flight levels and altimeter indications are given in the following table, the metric equivalents being approximate:

Flight levelAltimeter indications
NumberFeetMetres
101 000300
151 500450
202 000600
505 000 1 500
10010 0003 050
15015 0004 550
20020 0006 100
2.2  Take-off and climb
2.2.1 QNH altimeter setting is made available to aircraft in start-up clearance prior to take-off. The QFE value will be given on request only.
2.2.2 Vertical positioning of aircraft during climb is expressed in terms of altitudes until reaching the transition altitude above which vertical positioning is expressed in terms of flight levels.
2.3  Vertical separation En-route
2.3.1 Vertical separation during en-route flight shall be expressed in terms of flight levels at all times during an IFR flight and at night.
2.3.2 With the flights operating outside the controlled airspace at altitude above 5000 FT, the flight level measurement is performed in accordance with QNE (1013.2 HPA). FL 095 shall not be used for VFR flights in uncontrolled airspace (class G).
2.3.3 IFR flights and VFR flights above 3000 FT, are operated at such cruising levels, which correspond to the magnetic tracks shown in the following table, as they provide the required terrain clearance:
000°-179°180°-359°
IFRVFRIFRVFR
1020
30354045
50556065
70758085
9095100etc.
...etc....etc.
270280
290310
330350
etc.etc.

Note 2. Some of the lower levels in the table above cannot be used due to terrain clearance requirements.

2.4  Approach and landing
2.4.1 QNH altimeter is set after passing the transitional level during approach and having obtained the clearance to enter the CTR.
2.4.2 The QFE value will be given on request only.
2.4.3 Vertical positioning of aircraft during approach is controlled by reference to flight levels until reaching the transition level below which vertical positioning is controlled by reference to altitudes.
2.5  Missed approach

The relevant portions of 2.1.5, 2.2 and 2.4 shall be applied to the case of a missed approach.

3  DESCRIPTION OF ALTIMETER SETTING REGION

There is no the altimeter setting region in the Republic of Lithuania.

4  PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO OPERATORS (INCLUDING PILOTS)

4.1  Flight planning
4.1.1 The levels at which a flight is to be conducted shall be specified in a flight plan:
  1. in terms of flight levels if the flight is to be conducted at or above the transition level, and
  2. in terms of altitudes if the flight is to be conducted at or below the transition altitude.

Note 3. Flight levels are specified in a plan by number of cruising levels. Altitudes in that case specified in terms of feet.

5  TABLE OF CRUISING LEVELS

The cruising levels to be observed are as follows:

TRACK*
From 000 degrees to 179 degreesFrom 180 degrees to 359 degrees
IFR FlightsVFR FlightsIFR FlightsVFR Flights
LevelLevelLevelLevel
FLFeetMetresFLFeetMetresFLFeetMetresFLFeetMetres
0101 000300---0202 000600
0303 0009000353 5001 0500404 0001 2000454 5001 350
0505 0001 5000555 5001 7000606 0001 8500656 5002 000
0707 0002 1500757 5002 3000808 0002 4500858 5002 600
0909 0002 7500959 5002 90010010 0003 05010510 5003 200
11011 0003 35011511 5003 50012012 0003 65012512 5003 800
13013 0003 95013513 5004 10014014 0004 25014514 5004 400
15015 0004 55015515 5004 70016016 0004 90016516 5005 050
17017 0005 20017517 5005 35018018 0005 50018518 5005 650
19019 0005 80019519 5005 95020020 0006 10020520 5006 250
21021 0006 40021521 5006 55022022 0006 70022522 5006 850
23023 0007 00023523 5007 15024024 0007 30024524 5007 450
25025 0007 60025525 5007 75026026 0007 90026526 5008 100
27027 0008 25027527 5008 40028028 0008 55028528 5008 700
29029 0008 85030030 0009 150
31031 0009 45032032 0009 750
33033 00010 05034034 00010 350
35035 00010 65036036 00010 950
37037 00011 30038038 00011 600
39039 00011 90040040 00012 200
41041 00012 50043043 00013 100
45045 00013 70047047 00014 350
49049 00014 95051051 00015 550
etc.etc.etc.etc.etc.etc.

*Magnetic track, or in polar areas at latitudes higher than 70 degrees and within such extensions to those areas as may be prescribed by the competent authorities, grid tracks as determined by a network of lines parallel to the Greenwich Meridian superimposed on a polar stereographic chart in which the direction towards the North Pole is employed as the Grid North.