There is a fundamental difference in the philosophy of radar usage in Russia. In Russia, radar is used primarily to monitor, not to direct or control. If your flight strays off course or flies towards high terrain, a radar controller will probably give you a heading to take you back towards your course or away from danger. Do not
Issue I 28.08.2007 Rev. 0
assume that, this corrective heading will be followed, by further “vectors” back on course. If you are given a heading to fly, for example, heading 340, ask : “Fly heading 340 until when?” or “How long for heading change?” Even if radar exists at an airport, all arrivals and departures must normally be flown as if radar does not exist. Published routings and altitudes must be adhered to at all times.
Where PAR approaches exist, guidance is provided after established on the final approach course. PAR guidance typically terminates 500 meters from the runway threshold at which time frequency change to the tower or “Start,” as it is called, will be given.
11.10 QFE Below The Transition Level
Confusion, errors, and distraction can result from a lack of a clear understanding of altimeter usage below the transition level in Russia.
Above the transition level, altimeters are set to QNE setting of 1013.2 Hectopascals or Millibars. This is equivalent to 29.92 inches of mercury (Hg). Inches of mercury are not used in Russia, but millimeters of mercury are. Just for comparison 29.92 inches of mercury equals 760 millimeters of mercury both of which equal 1013.2 millibars, or QNE standard altimeter setting. None of this presents a problem until descending below the transition level.
Although correctly termed Hectopascals, many controllers and pilots still refer to these units as millibars. Russian controllers are accustomed to giving altimeter settings in millimeters QFE. QFE in millibars is available upon request. QNH in millibars is available upon request also. Make sure you hear millibars or Hectopascals, not millimeters.
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