myrtar
2004.04.07, 1646
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM ) Implementation in North America
RVSM Implementation Plan. The FAA plans to implement a Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) at 0901 UTC on January 20, 2005, between flight level (FL) 290-410 (inclusive). Implementation is planned for the airspace of the lower 48 states of the United States, Alaska, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico High Offshore Airspace (including Houston and Miami Oceanic airspace), and the San Juan ICAO FIR.
On the same date and time and at the same flight levels, Canada and Mexico are planning RVSM implementation. Canada implemented RVSM in its Northern Domestic Airspace in April 2002 and plans to expand RVSM into Canadian Southern Domestic Airspace in January 2005.
The RVSM program enables vertical separation to be reduced between flight levels (FL) 290-410 (inclusive) from 2,000 ft. to 1,000 ft. RVSM was first implemented in North Atlantic Airspace in 1997. It is now implemented in other major airspaces such as Europe, the Pacific Ocean, and Australia.
RVSM Authorization. In accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), Part 91, Section 91.180, with only limited exceptions, prior to operating in RVSM airspace, operators and aircraft must have received RVSM authorization from the responsible civil aviation authority. Aircraft must be equipped with altimeters, altitude control systems (auto-pilots), and altitude alerters that meet RVSM performance tolerances, and operator maintenance and operations programs must incorporate RVSM policies and practices. The RVSM Documentation Website provides guidance on the aircraft and operator approval process. See paragraph below.
TCAS Equipage. TCAS equipage requirements are contained in 14 CFR Sections 121.356, 125.224, 129.18 and 135.189. Part 91 Appendix G does not contain TCAS equipage requirements specific to RVSM; however, Appendix G does require that aircraft equipped with TCAS II and flown in RVSM airspace be modified to incorporate TCAS II Version 7.0 or a later version.
Operators should start the RVSM authorization process as soon possible. Operators that do not obtain RVSM authority by January 20, 2005, can continue to operate at/below FL 280.
Exceptions. After RVSM implementation, if either the operator or the aircraft or both have not received RVSM authorization (Non-RVSM aircraft), the pilot can neither request nor accept a clearance into RVSM airspace unless:
1. The flight is conducted in accordance with FAA policy by a Non-RVSM Department of Defense (DoD), Foreign State, Lifeguard, or certification/development aircraft; or
2. The pilot intends to climb to and descend from FL 430 or above in accordance with FAA policy; or
3. An emergency situation exists.
Sources of Information. Policy, procedures, and guidance on operator and aircraft compliance with RVSM standards can be found on the FAA RVSM Website Homepage at: www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm1.htm. The "RVSM Documentation" and "Domestic RVSM" webpages are linked to the RVSM Homepage. "RVSM Documentation" contains guidance and direction for an operator to obtain RVSM authorization for aircraft and programs.
ATC and Operational Policy. The Area of Operations Specific section of the RVSM Documentation Webpage contains an outline of Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) material that will constitute Domestic US RVSM air traffic and operational policy. The FAA is planning to publish a complete document in the May 2004 timeframe. In late 2004, the FAA plans to publish the information in the AIM.
Flight Planning. Starting at 0901 UTC, January 20, 2005, ATC will use the flight plan equipment block information to either issue or deny clearance into RVSM airspace. Operators annotate the equipment block of the ATC flight plan with a designated letter to inform ATC when the operator and its aircraft have received RVSM authorization. Other letters may be used on FAA flight plans in the future, but currently, for both FAA and ICAO flight plans the letter W indicates that the operator has received RVSM authorization. In accordance with Part 91 Appendix G, Section 4, the operator will not annotate the ATC flight plan with the designated RVSM letter unless the operator has been granted RVSM authority and the aircraft complies with Appendix G, Section 2 standards.
http://www.faa.gov/NTAP/NTAP04MAR18/GEN04001.HTM
more related, cool stuff (like the new approach types for rnav, where VORs and other radio stuff are illegal):
http://www.faa.gov/NTAP/NTAP04MAR18/part4.htm
RVSM Implementation Plan. The FAA plans to implement a Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) at 0901 UTC on January 20, 2005, between flight level (FL) 290-410 (inclusive). Implementation is planned for the airspace of the lower 48 states of the United States, Alaska, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico High Offshore Airspace (including Houston and Miami Oceanic airspace), and the San Juan ICAO FIR.
On the same date and time and at the same flight levels, Canada and Mexico are planning RVSM implementation. Canada implemented RVSM in its Northern Domestic Airspace in April 2002 and plans to expand RVSM into Canadian Southern Domestic Airspace in January 2005.
The RVSM program enables vertical separation to be reduced between flight levels (FL) 290-410 (inclusive) from 2,000 ft. to 1,000 ft. RVSM was first implemented in North Atlantic Airspace in 1997. It is now implemented in other major airspaces such as Europe, the Pacific Ocean, and Australia.
RVSM Authorization. In accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), Part 91, Section 91.180, with only limited exceptions, prior to operating in RVSM airspace, operators and aircraft must have received RVSM authorization from the responsible civil aviation authority. Aircraft must be equipped with altimeters, altitude control systems (auto-pilots), and altitude alerters that meet RVSM performance tolerances, and operator maintenance and operations programs must incorporate RVSM policies and practices. The RVSM Documentation Website provides guidance on the aircraft and operator approval process. See paragraph below.
TCAS Equipage. TCAS equipage requirements are contained in 14 CFR Sections 121.356, 125.224, 129.18 and 135.189. Part 91 Appendix G does not contain TCAS equipage requirements specific to RVSM; however, Appendix G does require that aircraft equipped with TCAS II and flown in RVSM airspace be modified to incorporate TCAS II Version 7.0 or a later version.
Operators should start the RVSM authorization process as soon possible. Operators that do not obtain RVSM authority by January 20, 2005, can continue to operate at/below FL 280.
Exceptions. After RVSM implementation, if either the operator or the aircraft or both have not received RVSM authorization (Non-RVSM aircraft), the pilot can neither request nor accept a clearance into RVSM airspace unless:
1. The flight is conducted in accordance with FAA policy by a Non-RVSM Department of Defense (DoD), Foreign State, Lifeguard, or certification/development aircraft; or
2. The pilot intends to climb to and descend from FL 430 or above in accordance with FAA policy; or
3. An emergency situation exists.
Sources of Information. Policy, procedures, and guidance on operator and aircraft compliance with RVSM standards can be found on the FAA RVSM Website Homepage at: www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm1.htm. The "RVSM Documentation" and "Domestic RVSM" webpages are linked to the RVSM Homepage. "RVSM Documentation" contains guidance and direction for an operator to obtain RVSM authorization for aircraft and programs.
ATC and Operational Policy. The Area of Operations Specific section of the RVSM Documentation Webpage contains an outline of Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) material that will constitute Domestic US RVSM air traffic and operational policy. The FAA is planning to publish a complete document in the May 2004 timeframe. In late 2004, the FAA plans to publish the information in the AIM.
Flight Planning. Starting at 0901 UTC, January 20, 2005, ATC will use the flight plan equipment block information to either issue or deny clearance into RVSM airspace. Operators annotate the equipment block of the ATC flight plan with a designated letter to inform ATC when the operator and its aircraft have received RVSM authorization. Other letters may be used on FAA flight plans in the future, but currently, for both FAA and ICAO flight plans the letter W indicates that the operator has received RVSM authorization. In accordance with Part 91 Appendix G, Section 4, the operator will not annotate the ATC flight plan with the designated RVSM letter unless the operator has been granted RVSM authority and the aircraft complies with Appendix G, Section 2 standards.
http://www.faa.gov/NTAP/NTAP04MAR18/GEN04001.HTM
more related, cool stuff (like the new approach types for rnav, where VORs and other radio stuff are illegal):
http://www.faa.gov/NTAP/NTAP04MAR18/part4.htm