Into The Flight Levels

It seems to be an arbitrary cutoff, 18,000 feet. However that height was originally chosen, its the altitude that defines, at least in U.S. airspace, what we call the flight levels. There are a number of rules that apply to all airplanes flying at and above FL180 but less obvious are some of the real-world considerations protecting you and your passengers as you climb above 18,000 feet-considerations that relate to very real hazards.

Tom Turner

Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA's high-altitude endorsement (FAR 61.31(g)) has a critical loophole, only mandating specialized training for pilots of pressurized aircraft certified above 25,000 feet, leaving many pilots of flight-level-capable unpressurized planes without required training for identical or greater risks.
Flying at and above 18,000 feet (flight levels) introduces significant hazards including rapid-onset hypoxia with extremely short times of useful consciousness, unique piston engine cooling challenges, and intensified weather phenomena like severe icing, turbulence, and thunderstorms.
Due to these extreme risks, the article strongly recommends that all pilots operating in the flight levels proactively seek high-altitude training—covering weather, physiology, and emergency descents—regardless of whether their specific aircraft legally requires the endorsement.

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It seems to be an arbitrary cutoff, 18,000 feet. However that height was originally chosen, it’s the altitude that defines, at least in U.S. airspace, what we call the flight levels. There are a number of rules that apply to all airplanes flying at and above FL180 but less obvious are some of the real-world considerations protecting you and your passengers as you climb above 18,000 feet—considerations that relate to very real hazards.

In fact, you really should consider many of these hazards when flying at any altitude where supplemental oxygen is required. Yet for a growing number of general aviation pilots who fly in the flight levels, there are no training or experience requirements. What do you really need to know, when you’re in the flight levels?