A gulfstream V departing zbaa leveled initially at 1;500 feet vice meters as cleared.

Attributes
ACN	882147
Time
Date	201004
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZBAA.Airport
State Reference	FO
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Gulfstream V / G500 / G550
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 135
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Route In Use	SID TONIL31D
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75 Flight Crew Total 14628 Flight Crew Type 2010
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Undershoot Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

ATC cleared the aircraft on the TONIL31D SID; maintain 1;500 meters. Both crew members listened to the IFR clearance given. 1;500 was placed in the altitude selector and the crew briefing reiterated the initial altitude of 1;500 meters. Aircraft was cleared for takeoff and; as the flying pilot; I stated to the non-flying captain as we took the active runway 'runway 36R; cleared for takeoff; straight out departure initially; climbing to 1;500 meters.' I then made the classic mistake of leveling at 1;500 'feet.' no crossing restrictions were busted; no TCAS warnings were set off; and since the weather was cavok; CFIT was not an issue. However; I am disappointed in myself that I would make such an unprofessional and preventable mistake.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Gulfstream V departing ZBAA leveled initially at 1;500 feet vice meters as cleared.

Narrative: ATC cleared the aircraft on the TONIL31D SID; maintain 1;500 meters. Both crew members listened to the IFR clearance given. 1;500 was placed in the altitude selector and the crew briefing reiterated the initial altitude of 1;500 meters. Aircraft was cleared for takeoff and; as the flying pilot; I stated to the non-flying Captain as we took the active runway 'Runway 36R; cleared for takeoff; straight out departure initially; climbing to 1;500 meters.' I then made the classic mistake of leveling at 1;500 'feet.' No crossing restrictions were busted; no TCAS warnings were set off; and since the weather was CAVOK; CFIT was not an issue. However; I am disappointed in myself that I would make such an unprofessional and preventable mistake.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.