ATC saying to descend

[BassPaladin2047]

ATC saying to descend to 15000 constantly but im already at that height?.

Also Fenix

[DementedCorn327]

Maybe related to this ?
Continuing the discussion from Sim Update 5 Beta (1.7.9.0) Release Notes - March 3, 2026:

@Chewwy94

Known Issue

• There is an known regression in test build 1.7.9.0 where ATC will always clear you to the altitude you have filed in your flight plan. If you attempt to fly at a different altitude, you will be told to descend. Additionally, after you take off, you may be cleared to an arbitrary altitude.
  • This issue will be resolved in a future SU5 pre-release test build.

[Habu2u2]

I’m wondering if it’s because you’ve got “STD” set, and they’re giving you a QNH different from standard pressure. (and that could be a whole other problem if the transition altitude is correct for that area, but ATC is giving you a non-standard QNH??!!).
Regards

[CasualClick]

I was also about to say - are you set at local barometer since you’re below Transition altitude?

[BassPaladin2047]

my flight plan had me originally at fl230 then ATC said to descent which i did & it just kept repeating it?

[CasualClick]

Because the baro locally on your aircraft is still set to STD, you’re not actually at the right altitude as far as ATC is concerned. Set it to the QNH ATC is telling you to, and you’ll see your altitude tape adjust. Then you can command the jet to get to the correct altitude.

[BassPaladin2047]

not quite sure i understand? transition alti was say 10,000 my qnh was set for local airport which then gets changed to standard at transition alt. i was at 15,000 so over the transition atl so standard?

should i be changing the qnh even if im over in std?

[CasualClick]

No - the Transition Altitude in the sim is hardcoded to FL180 / 18,000’. There’s no changing for different world regions, it’s all FL180 across the Digital Twin world. If you’re below that, you should be at local barometer for the airspace you’re in. There’s also keybinds that automatically switch you from local barometer to STD and back again so you don’t even need to find a way to contact ATC. Just press that keybind under FL180 and you’re set to local barometer automatically.

[BassPaladin2047]

sorry i should say im in the uk and are transition alts are not 18,000

[CasualClick]

Again, it doesn’t matter which region you’re flying in. The simulator itself is hardcoded to FL180 as the transition altitude.

[BassPaladin2047]

ah ok then ive leant something new then lol. in the uk our transitions are normally 5,000 or 6,000 hence why ive been changing it.

[CasualClick]

Yes, this simulator-ism for lack of a better term has been in place since 2020 launched.

[CD0139]

At least we’re not stuck with inHg or Fahrenheit

[Pieter2427]

@CasualClick

the Transition Altitude in the sim is hardcoded to FL180 / 18,000’.

Not too sure about that in 2024. Based on the ATC calls, I did get the impression it was somehow a bit more dynamic. But I could be wrong

[A220driv3r]

And way before that, maybe it will be fixed in FS2028 .