Block Allocation?

"Peter Duniho" wrote in message
...
"AES/newspost" wrote in message
...
[...]
Anyway, I'm assuming that "Jackpot 1243" wanted to move up and down
freely between 39,000 and 41,000 feet seeking smoothest ride and best
fuel economy without having to make repeated requests

Sounds like a "cruise clearance". Not sure why those words weren't used
in
the request.

According to the AIM P/CG, a cruise clearance permits flight from a single
specified altitude down to the minimum applicable IFR altitude; the
phraseology is e.g. "Cruise eight thousand". A block clearance, with an
explicit lower bound, is slightly different.

--Gary

"Gary Drescher" writes:

[...]
Sounds like a "cruise clearance". Not sure why those words weren't used
in the request.

According to the AIM P/CG, a cruise clearance permits flight from a single
specified altitude down to the minimum applicable IFR altitude [...]

I believe a "cruise clearance" also implies an approach clearance, making it
even more different from an ordinary block altitude assignment.


- FChE

"Gary Drescher" wrote in message
news:OgSVb.265595$na.420059@attbi_s04...
According to the AIM P/CG, a cruise clearance permits flight from a single
specified altitude down to the minimum applicable IFR altitude; the
phraseology is e.g. "Cruise eight thousand". A block clearance, with an
explicit lower bound, is slightly different.

Exactly right. Guess I'm the one who's been using the wrong phraseology
with ATC. Oh well...I guess they knew what I meant when I asked for a
cruise clearance between two altitudes. They've never corrected me, in all
my flights over the mountains when I've asked.

In any case, the basic idea is still the same. A block altitude gives the
pilot the ability to ride altitude changes without fighting them, which
results in a smoother ride, better fuel economy, and less work on the
pilot's part.

Pete