8 questions on this topic, recalled by candidates after DGCA sittings between 2021 and 2026. Together they were asked 11 times; the most repeated come first. Pick a year to see only what was asked that year.
A. Altitude, with QNH set
At or below the transition altitude: altitude on QNH. Above it: flight levels on 1013.2 hPa. Height is measured on QFE, not QNH.
A. The State in which the aerodrome is located
The State specifies a transition altitude for each aerodrome and publishes it. In India no transition altitude is less than 4000 ft.
A. The airspace between the transition altitude and the transition level
Transition altitude at the bottom, transition level at the top, transition layer in between.
B. Is the lowest flight level available for use above the transition altitude
By definition, the transition level is the lowest usable flight level above the transition altitude. ATC decides it and passes it on - the pilot does not calculate it.
B. Transition level
Climbing: change to 1013.2 at the transition altitude. Descending: change to QNH at the transition level. In both cases the change happens at the first boundary you meet.
A. Flight level when climbing, altitude when descending
Climbing, you are heading into flight levels, so report flight levels. Descending, you are heading onto QNH, so report altitudes. Below the transition altitude it is always altitude; above the transition level it is always flight level.
A. FL290
Track 000-179 flies the odd levels. Above FL290 in non-RVSM airspace the levels are 4000 ft apart: eastbound FL290, 330, 370, 410; westbound FL310, 350, 390. FL160 is a westbound level too.
A. 1013.2 hPa
Flight levels are surfaces of constant pressure referenced to 1013.2 hPa. QNH gives altitude and QFE gives height above the aerodrome.
These are candidates' recollections, not official DGCA papers: wording can differ from the paper as set. Every answer was checked against the DGCA CARs, AIP India, ICAO documents or worked calculation (independent check completed 17 Oct 2026). Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will check it against the source.