Altitude is aviation. From a simple paper airplane to the recently launched Artemis, anything that is above ground and moving has altitude and is essentially aviating. With altitude so important, how important is it for pilots to comply with altitudes, whether ATC assigned or from the regs or AIM? Simple answer is that altitude is extremely important. The entire NAS has been designed and re-designed several times. It's why you might get a pilot deviation if you're a hundred feet off. Altitude compliance is one of the top five trending safety issues in the NAS right now. Some think it's just an ARTCC issue or approach control, but it comes into play in the Tower environment as well. Your ability to fly straight and level plays a major part in maintaining the correct altitude for your mission and as instructed by ATC for a specific purpose. Sure, there is an allowance for being off due to incorrect altimeter or rapidly changing barometric pressure, but if you're off by 300 feet and the other plane coming at you is off by 200, you could be a little too close for comfort. Discretion is a big word when attached to altitude and should be respected.
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