When you check in with a new radar controller, give them you should be giving them your current altitude reading, NOT the altitude you're SUPPOSED to be at. •••• Saying your altitude is not for the controller can check how precisely you're flying - they're cross-checking their altitude readout from your transponder with that of your altimeter. If you're assigned 9,000ft, but you drifted up to 9,200ft, you should tell the controller: "Center, Skyhawk '80991, 9200, correcting down to 9000" on init