[wxwatcher]

Actually, they are saying "Climb and maintain Flight Level Two One OH" meaning to climb to and maintain a specific altitude, in this case 21,000. There is a difference to watch for, below 18,000 the instruction will be to climb and maintain a specified altitude denoted by the term thousand, i.e. one one thousanf would be 11,000 feet. Above 18,000 the switch to Flight Levels because flights above that altitude use a standard altimeter setting of 29.92 no matter what the altimeter is at the local weather reporting station.

Another trick to use is to clearly identify yourself as a student pilot. That will usually slow the controller's speach rate down a bit. If you are doing instrument training, when you file your flight plan, add the remarks "IFR Training Flight" to the flight plan. Again, it lets the controllers know not to expect air carrier type responses to their control instructions froom you.

Jerry


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Comments and opinions are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.