Heights and causing levels

Question 1

Altitude

Answer 1

above mean sea level

Question 2

Height

Answer 2

Distance measured from specified datum

Question 3

Elevation

Answer 3

Height of earth surface (or any point) above mean sea level

Question 4

Altimeter settings

Answer 4

When flying bellow 13000ft the altimeter is set to the appropriate area QNH or aerodrome QNH

Question 5

Aerodrome QNH

Answer 5

Calculated mean sea level pressure at the aerodrome.
To be set on altimeter sub scale when operating in the aerodrome traffic circuit, when operating in control zone, and during intermediate and final approach of instrument approach

Question 6

Area QNH

Answer 6

QNH setting applicable when flying within QNH zone. Published AIP ENR 1.7.
NZ divided into 12 area QNH.
Obtained from ATC, Flight service, or Flight information.
Set when flying outside of CTR and clear from aerodrome.
When in class C or D, QNH must be set to QNH advised by ATC.

Question 7

High level flight

Answer 7

Flying above 13,000ft altitude is now referred to flight level.
Flight level is surface constant atmospheric pressure expressed in terms of hundreds of feet that is related to specific datum 1013.2 hpa, and separated from other such surfaces by specific pressure intervals.

Question 8

Transition altitude

Answer 8

If intend to climb above 13000 ft, must change QNH to 1013 as you pass 13,000ft. Known as transition altitude and from here up you fly flight levels.

Question 9

Transition level

Answer 9

When defending from flight level change QNH from 1013 to zone QNH as pass FL150. Lowest usable FL.
Transition level becomes FL160 when QNH 980hPa or less, or within 20nm radius of Mt Cook.

Question 10

Transition layer

Answer 10

Layer between transition altitude 13000ft and transition level FL150.
Thickness changes with QNH. Only 1010ft thick at QNH 980.

Question 11

Flights at 14,000ft

Answer 11

Allowed in controlled airspace under emergency or hazard conditions. Altimeter setting advised by ATC. In uncontrolled airspace, level cruise in transition layer is not permitted.

Question 12

Minimum safe heights

Answer 12

May not fly bellow:

at height less than required to execute emergency landing without hazard to persons or surface property in the event engine failure.

Over any congested area of city , town, or settlement, or open air assembly of people at height less than 1000ft above surface or highest obstacle within 600m radius.

Or over all other areas (countryside) not lower than 500ft above surface or highest structure in 150m radius.

Must fly high enough to be able to glide to field that you can land in.

Must fly high enough to be able to glide clear of city, settlement etc.

Question 13

CTO exemptions

Answer 13

May conduct approaches, departures, and manouvers bellow 500ft within 150ft of persons, vehicles, or structures provided PIC

Prepared flight plan for operation in conjunction with the people involved in the operation.
Taken reasonable care in avoiding hazard to any person or property.
Briefed all personnel and organisations involved in the operation.

Question 13

VFR magnetic track

Answer 13

Flying northerly magnetic tract (270 -89), fly odds + 500ft.

Flying southerly magnetic track (90 - 269), fly evens + 500ft.

Question 14

Magnetic track vs compass heading

Answer 14

Deciding factor is magnetic track, not compass heading. Must comply with magnetic track requirements when altitude is greater than 3000ft AMSL to 1000ft AGL (which ever is higher).

Question 15

A pilot may not fly..,.

Answer 15

between 13000ft and FL150 in controlled airspace unless authorised by ATC. VFR level cruise in transition layer is not permitted.

At any FL bellow FL160 when QNH is 980hPa or less.