FL six zero is 6,000 feet, not 60,000.

And does not exist in North America. In some countries in Europe and Asia? Yes,
North America, no.

Additionally, if flying in an MOA that has a
ceiling of 18,000 feet, why would he not be able to state his true
altitude?

He may have been in the ATCAA on top of the MOA.

There was no editing other
than removing the some of the dead air between transmissions.

Perhaps a "zero" was not recorded at the end of "Flight Level six-zero"?

I know damned well what is and isn't said over a test
frequency--and I didn't see anything so unusual about this
transmission/radio interchange."

Hmm, you should have, there's no such Thing as a "Flight Level" until 18,000'
MSL (over Canada, the US and Mexico) and then there are occasions where FL180
doesn't exist either.


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"