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From: tjj@ssc-vax.UUCP (T J Jardine)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Altitude Deviation Violations
Message-ID: <61@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 12-Apr-84 15:37:58 EST
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.61
Posted: Thu Apr 12 15:37:58 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 15-Apr-84 01:26:11 EST
Organization: Boeing Aerospace, Seattle
Lines: 27

Here in the Seattle ARTCC area we recently received a notice from the ARTCC
manager regarding an ATC Operational Error Detection Program.  The essence
was that Seattle, along with several other ARTCC's, has recently implemented
a capability in their computer software to monitor aircraft separation.
The statement in the letter indicated that violations would be filed with the
local FSDO/GADO office when a pilot deviates 300 or more feet from an assigned
altitude.  Since I'm fairly familiar with the accuracy of both computers and
altitude encoders, I decided to ask the ARTCC manager for more details.

It turns out that what is being filed is a notice of possible violation, and
only when the altitude deviation results in less than required separation with
respect to another aircraft.  It's up to the FSDO/GADO Inspector to determine
the cause of the deviation.  Both the ARTCC manager and most of the Inspectors
I know are aware of the fact that there are flight conditions which prevent a
pilot of a light plane from maintaining altitude -- descending air mass with
velocity that exceeds aircraft climb capability for one.  I know we are all
trying for safe piloting as a goal, but has anyone had any experience with
this aspect of the ARTCC, either positive or negative?  I can just see some
pilot on a solo IFR flight in a Cessna 1x2 who deviates, is reported, and gets
a GADO Inspector who won't accept any reasonable explanation.  I'm not trying
for paranoia, just the balance required to really make the system work.

Ted Jardine
CFI ASME Instruments
-- 
TJ (with Amazing Grace) The Piper
...uw-beaver!ssc-vax!tjj