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I keep reading that in VFR flight, if your heading is 180-359, you would fly at an even thousand (6500,8500) and if between 0 and 179, at a odd thousand (5500).  Is this an advisory or is it a RULE?  To be true to real life form in the sim, I should be changing altitudes every time I change from east to west?  And what if, in the RW I'm just out doing doughnuts in the sky?

If you're VFR, you could, if you so wished, fly at any level you want... However, a lot of people use the IFR "quadrantal" rule used outside controlled airspace, even when flying VFR.

To quickly summarise the quatrantal rule, track 000 to 089, odd levels (eg 7000ft), 090 to 179, odds +500 (eg 7500ft), 180 to 269, evens (eg 8000), 270 to 359, evens +500 (eg 8500ft). In europe this applies all the way up to FL195 above transition alt (which unlike the US 18000ft is variable dependant on location).

In CAS, the rule is as you describe, "semicircular", although using odd levels (eg FL210) from 000 to 179, and evens (eg FL220) from 180 to 359.

If you're going to be tracking the same course for any length of time, it's a good rule to use, but not required.

Also remember that it doesn't even start, until 3000agl.

For a short VFR flight.. a totally meaningless altitude is good practice.. i.e.

[quote]
For a short VFR flight.. a totally meaningless altitude is good practice.. i.e.

and having 99% of their attention on the altimeter, not out the window...

exACTLY 

...and having 99% of their attention on the altimeter, not out the window...

or their new glass panel and/or gps

and having 99% of their attention on the altimeter, not out the window...

exACTLY

If you're VFR, you could, if you so wished, fly at any level you want... However, a lot of people use the IFR "quadrantal" rule used outside controlled airspace, even when flying VFR.

To quickly summarise the quatrantal rule, track 000 to 089, odd levels (eg 7000ft), 090 to 179, odds +500 (eg 7500ft), 180 to 269, evens (eg 8000), 270 to 359, evens +500 (eg 8500ft). In europe this applies all the way up to FL195 above transition alt (which unlike the US 18000ft is variable dependant on location).

In CAS, the rule is as you describe, "semicircular", although using odd levels (eg FL210) from 000 to 179, and evens (eg FL220) from 180 to 359.

One point, at least in the US, both the VFR and IFR use the semicircular rule.  The only difference is IFR are at odd or even levels (4000, 5000, 12000, etc.), and the VFR are on odd or even +500 (4500, 5500, 12500).  This provides a little separation between VFR and IFR traffic.

[quote]
One point, at least in the US, both the VFR and IFR use the semicircular rule.

A semi-related question to the interaction between IFR and VFR, or perhaps not (but no use in opening up another thread in any case)...Lets say I'm flying VFR and I decide I want to do an ILS approach per the chart.

[quote]A semi-related question to the interaction between IFR and VFR, or perhaps not (but no use in opening up another thread in any case)...Lets say I'm flying VFR and I decide I want to do an ILS approach per the chart.

[quote]I keep reading that in VFR flight, if your heading is 180-359, you would fly at an even thousand (6500,8500) and if between 0 and 179, at a odd thousand (5500).

[quote][quote]A semi-related question to the interaction between IFR and VFR, or perhaps not (but no use in opening up another thread in any case)...Lets say I'm flying VFR and I decide I want to do an ILS approach per the chart.