1.1 Transition altitude/transition level

1. The transition altitude is 3000 ft for IFR flights and 3500 ft for VFR flights in the entire Amsterdam FIR1).
2. The transition level for the entire Amsterdam FIR is positioned at or above 4000 ft AMSL and is determined hourly.

1. Including the North Sea area V up to and including FL 055.

1.2 Altimeter setting regions (ASR)

For en route flights at or below the transition altitude a regional QNH will be made available for the following altimeter setting regions in the Amsterdam FIR, including the North Sea area V:

2.1 Take-off and climb

1. The aerodrome QNH is given to aircraft in start-up clearances prior to take-off.
2. Vertical position of aircraft during climb shall be expressed in terms of altitude until reaching the transition altitude above which the vertical position shall be expressed in terms of flight level (1013.2 hPa).

2.2 Approach and landing

1. The aerodrome QNH and the transition level are given in approach clearances and in clearances to enter the traffic circuit.
2. The vertical position of aircraft during approach shall be expressed in terms of flight level until reaching the transition level below which the vertical position shall be expressed in terms of altitude.

2.3 Missed approach

The relevant parts of paragraph 2.1 and 2.2 shall be applied in case of a missed approach.

2.4 En route at or below the transition altitude

En route flights at or below the transition altitude shall use the latest appropriate regional QNH which will be given by ATC on initial contact, or by the appropriate ATS unit.

2.5 Barometric pressure setting check via Mode S Enhanced Surveillance

Amsterdam ACC, Schiphol APP and Rotterdam APP are equipped with functionality to verify the selected barometric pressure setting via Mode S Enhanced Surveillance.

3.1 General

The cruising level at which a flight or a portion of a flight is to be conducted shall be in terms of:

1. Flight level, for en route flights above the transition altitude.
2. Altitude, for en route flights at or below the transition altitude.

3.2 VFR flights

VFR flights operated in level cruising flight above 3500 ft AMSL shall be conducted at a flight level appropriate to the track as specified in paragraph 3.4 (table of cruising levels), except when otherwise indicated in ATC clearances.

3.3 IFR flights

3.4 Table of cruising levels

1. For VFR flights above 3500 ft AMSL.

3.5 Gliders

Gliders are usually equipped with altimeters calibrated in metres.

The glider circuits in the Netherlands are based there-on and the terrain heights, given in metres, will be of great help when making a landing after a cross country flight.

Glider pilots will practically never fly horizontally, however, for safety reasons it is very important that above 3500 ft (1065 m) AMSL the procedure mentioned in paragraph 3.2 will be adhered to, such in connection with the determination of the height with respect to the lower limit of areas in which VFR flights are prohibited or for reporting by radio.

In order to avoid the areas in which VFR flights are prohibited, glider pilots are advised to use the table below to convert their altimeter reading from metres into flight level.

Above 1065 m (3500 ft) AMSL the altimeter subscale should be set on 1013.2 hPa The relation between indicated reading in metres and flight level above this altitude is: