En route
Level instructions
Read back a climb or descent so ATC can confirm the level you will fly.
Original SkyRT lesson (pending instructor review)altitudeflight levelqnh
When you use it
Any phase in which ATC assigns an altitude or flight level.
Example exchange
ATCNarmada Control
VKA, descend to altitude 2500 ft, QNH 1006
You
Descend to altitude 2500 feet, QNH 1006, VKA
This is an illustrative example. The required elements matter more than the exact words — ICAO phraseology allows variation, and local procedures can differ.
Required information
- Climb/descend
- Level (altitude or flight level)
- Altimeter setting if given
- Call sign
Expected sequence
- Instruction
- Level
- QNH (if given)
- Call sign
Read back
- Level
- QNH
Why it works this way
Level instructions and altimeter settings are mandatory read-back items. Say altitudes with HUNDRED and THOUSAND; say flight levels digit by digit.
Common errors
- Saying “two five zero zero” for an altitude
- Confusing altitude (QNH) with flight level (1013.2 hPa)
References
- ICAO Doc 9432, Manual of Radiotelephony (4th ed., 2007), §3.3 — Level instructions
- ICAO Doc 9432, Manual of Radiotelephony (4th ed., 2007), §2.4 — Transmission of numbers
Practise it: Transfer, position report and descent
Run the related simulator scenario and get item-by-item feedback on your transmissions.
Open the scenario