So here’s a flight I’m doing right now in IF from Frankfurt to Houston (EDDF-KIAH) on a B772 and I’m also tracking the same flight on Flightradar24 and noticed that though the heading is 270 degrees (westbound flight) it is still flying at an odd altitude level (FL350), whereas the rules says that a westbound flight from 180-359 degrees has to fly with even flight levels and an eastbound flight with 0-179 degrees has to fly odd flight levels. Then why is this flying at 35,000 feet instead of 34,000 or 36,000 ?
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They were probably cleared at that altitude when they received their oceanic clearance.
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This is not a set rule, it’s more like a rule of thumb and depends on the country. The pilots are following a NAT and, to add on to what @Erik_Popescu said, this is probably the altitude they have to be at on the NAT.
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The semi circular rule on the tracks is disregarded, aircraft can be cleared anywhere from FL290 (bumping up to FL330 soon) to FL410 either west or east bound.
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Ohh !! Good to know…thanks a lot all of you for answering :)
P.S. about 1 hour 30 minutes until I reach my destination ;)
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Rules are just guidelines. Jk, he was most likely cleared to fly a certain altitude.
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Np :) are you almost there?
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You can always check the current NATTrack NOTAMS on the FAA website.
https://www.notams.faa.gov/common/nat.html
It states that basically all levels are allowed for the westbound flights.
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In this case we can see that United Airways is doing an oceanic track. When following these kind of tracks you have to follow strict rules about the FL to and Speed (Mach number). The crew has to notify that is intended to do this flight and then you receive what’s it’s called “NAT Track Message” which contains, as I said before, all the relevant information about the track (A,B,C,D,E,F,G), FL etc.
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Had a very comfortable flight !! Sorry for late reply…
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Thanks for the link mate :)
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No prob, glad to hear the flight was good!
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