Altimeter Setting Procedures (PANS-OPS Doc 8168)

Altimeter Setting Procedures — PANS-OPS Doc 8168

General (ICAO)

ICAO Doc 8168 PANS-OPS Procedures for Air Navigation Services — Aircraft Operations governs altimeter settings for safe vertical separation.

Three pressure references

• QNH = altitude AMSL (from nearest airport with ATC).
• QFE = height above airfield threshold (rare).
• QNE / standard 1013.25 hPa = pressure altitude / flight level.

Transition Altitude (TA) / Transition Level (TL)

• Below TA: altimeter on QNH.
• Above TL: altimeter on standard 1013.25 hPa (= flight level).

At FL 80

During a flight at FL 80, the altimeter setting has to be 1013.25 hPa:

• FL = flight level = pressure altitude.

Europe (EASA / EU)

SERA.5005 Flight Rules: standard settings.

Transition altitude in Europe

TA varies nationally. Germany: 5000 ft AMSL (regional variation).

Above TA — standard

For VFR flights in certain European airspaces where the transition altitude is 5000 ft AMSL, if cruising above this level and more than 2000 ft AGL, the altimeter must be set to the standard pressure of 1013.2 hPa to indicate flight levels rather than QNH-based altitudes.

At and below 5000 AMSL — QNH

On VFR cross-country flights, pilots must set the altimeter to the QNH of the closest aerodrome with an air traffic control unit when operating at or below 5000 ft AMSL, or above 5000 ft AMSL if the altitude does not exceed 2000 ft AGL.

On flights according to visual flight rules at and below 5000 ft AMSL as well as on flights according to visual flight rules above 5000 ft AMSL when the altitude does not exceed 2000 ft AGL, the altimeter has to be set to the QNH of the closest aerodrome with an ATC unit.

On descent — QNH and squawk

During descent, when passing through 5000 ft AMSL, the pilot must set the altimeter to QNH and set (or check) the transponder to code 7000 (the standard VFR conspicuity code in German airspace).

Germany (national)

In Germany transition altitude 5000 ft AMSL (regional 4000-6000 ft depending on airport). Above TA: standard 1013.25.

Altimeter Setting Procedures*; ICAO Annex 11; EU Reg 923/2012 SERA.5005; DFS AIP Germany ENR 1.7.*