Descend FLxxx to be level abeam XXXXX

nathanwesthead

Example:
S13 intention code LL given direct SABER and told descend FL250 level by LOGAN. Aircraft will then start descent straight away to FL250 regardless of how far from LOGAN they are. I know technically that the instruction allows them to descend whenever, but in the real world, you wouldn't want to descend too early requiring unnecessary level flight.
Is a proper "level abeam _____" which won't descend aircraft early something that's been looked at before and/or could be implemented in the future?
Thanks!

JSJ

nathanwesthead Interesting. Could it be due to the fact simply that the sector isn't that big and it's tight on space for the level restriction? Unless something's happened to the latest update, on other sectors - such as S5/35 - this isn't an issue, if memory serves?

Level abeam just means, as far as I understand it, that an aircraft isn't passing directly over the waypoint - they would still likely have to start descent the same distance away, no?

CloggyUk

Hello.

The level abeam does not work in LC. Only level at <FIX>. It only recognises fixes that are still to be passed. If you sent it DCT SABER, then Logan doesn’t exist anymore as far as the sim concerned. As far as I recall this was on the list of things to improve by the original developer. But as we can see, it never was implemented. It would required a rewrite of the main software, not the (easily) amendable data files. Fingers crossed the new LC team can look in the code and tweak it.

Cheers, C