A New Record "Low"

[nwadc10]

I thought I'd share this pic. Last weekend the pressure in the midwest was extremely low. It may be difficult to see but the pressure is 28.98"Hg. This is the lowest I have ever seen it since I began flying 10 years ago. The previous low I had seen was 29.32"Hg which was last year sometime

[hawkeyeted]

"Would that explain the High that is sitting on the California desert, giving us 80+ kts of wind while we're dodging the flames? My Aunt and Uncle in Ramona, Ca. (San Diego) lost their home to the fires. "

[thansson]

"Probably too far away from eachother to be any connection between the extreme low and the high. Justin, just out of curiosity. With that low a barometer setting, ATC is supposed to repeat the altimeter given to pilots. As in: "Altimeter 28.98 - I repeat, 28.98". Are they actually doing that?? And a question to our pilots: If the altimeter were to drop below 28.92, what is the lowest possible Flight Level that you are allowed to file flying EAST?! "

[yoni63]

"If it actually drops below 28.92, that automatically makes FL200 the lowest usable so if you are on a easterly course, you would have to utilize FL210..."

[thansson]

Bryan - you get a cookie! You can't even imagine how many of my ATC students only read half of the question and automatically answered FL200!

[yoni63]

"LOL, yeah, the trick is realizing you said "below" and it makes a difference. Plus the RVSM issue of course applies at anytime too. Oh.. I like peanut butter, or snickerdoodles... "

[chevol]

"Well done Bryan! Tomas, I would be interested to know a bit more about FLs in the US, is it as simple as in Europe: odd levels going E and even levels going W (except France, Spain, Switzerland...) or do you use different rules. Is there a site where I could learn more about it. Flying over the States i am always a bit worried about being suddenly face to face with Air Force 1.... cheers Luc"

[thansson]

Luc - I was trying to find the reference on VATUSA. This is the closest I got:

[nwadc10]

"

Probably too far away from eachother to be any connection between the extreme low and the high. Justin, just out of curiosity. With that low a barometer setting, ATC is supposed to repeat the altimeter given to pilots. As in: "Altimeter 28.98 - I repeat, 28.98". Are they actually doing that?? And a question to our pilots: If the altimeter were to drop below 28.92, what is the lowest possible Flight Level that you are allowed to file flying EAST?!

No they did not repeat themselves but I don't think they said it over the radio on departure. We have digital ATIS so to repeat the altimeter setting we just need to read it off ACARS again What's interesting about FL's in the US, Eastbound is odd and westbound is even, except over/near Florida. Rather than being E/W oriented it is N/S oriented. It's been a while since I've flown RW down there but I think Northbound is odd and southbound is even FL's. The flights I did down there originated in Indianapolis so we were headed east on an odd FL. When we contacted Jacksonville Ctr over Georgia they asked if we wanted to go up or down to the new FL."

[chevol]

"Thanks for the very good info, Tomas and Justin. Yes Florida seems like France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland.... It is strange that these important rules are not the same everywhere. Also looking at maps I see that some airways are even or odd in 1 direction which does not follow the normal rule.... nice to have TCAS! Luc"

[Brogs]

"Verrrrrrrrry informative Guys, thanks perhaps I.ll get it right now "

[yoni63]

"Oh, and Mike, when you fly over my town, it's so wierd there, you have to fly at even numbers when going Southwest for 5 minutes, then switch to odd numbers, and visa versa for Northeast, and if it's an even numbered thursday... FL 210 to FL 310 is disqualified for use except in the last week of July of even numbered years! Ok, maybe not, but the town is still wierd!!!! That is my point!!! "

[hawkeyeted]

Thanks folks! He'll be here all week! ...and don't forget to tip your waitress!