Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Domestic
Reduced
Vertical
Separation
Minimums
Affected areas (Includes Mia, Hou Oceanic & San Juan FIR)
DRVSM Altitudes
(1) The operator and operators aircraft comply with the minimum standards of Appendix G of this Part; and The operator is authorized by the administrator or the country of registry to conduct such operations. (b) The administrator may authorize a deviation from the requirements of this section.
Approval Process
Operator Approval
Airworthiness Approval Operational Procedures and Programs Approval should be requested at least 60 days prior to proposed RVSM operations
Pre-Application Meeting
Schedule a Meeting With The local FSDO Purpose of Meeting: To discuss the requirements of the Approval Process. Contents of Operators RVSM Application Process of FAA Review and Evaluation
Contents of Application
Airworthiness Documents. Description of Aircraft equipment. Operational Training Program and Operating Practices and Procedures. Operations Manuals and Checklist Past Performance. Minimum Equipment List If Using one Maintenance Program. Plan for participation in Monitoring Program.
Operational
What is required of the Crew before flight is conducted with in RVSM Airspace?
Preflight Planning
Verify That the aircraft is approved for RVSM operations. Insure that all NOTAMS and information pertinent to the RVSM airspace is reviewed and a copy is kept in the Cockpit. Insure Block 3 of the Flight plan form indicates that the operator and the aircraft is approved for RVSM operations.
See handout on suffix codes
Review Tropoause charts for performance capability and wind charts for turbulent conditions. To determine if either Could exceed altitude keeping equipment.parameters
Preflight Procedures
Review Maintenance logs insure there are no items that would effect RVSM operations: Altimeter system, Altitude reporting equipment, Altitude alerting devices,
Aircraft Preflight
Altimeter Checks: Set both altimeters to local altimeter settings, QNH (This must be done at a known elevation.) The difference between altimeter readings, And the known elevation (airport elevation) MUST NOT EXCEED 75 FEET. Static Sources: During exterior inspection pay particular attention to the Static Source and the condition of the skin surface in the vicinity of the source. This check can be performed by a qualified and authorized person other than the pilot. e.g. maintenance personnel.
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
In Flight Procedures
Emphasis should be placed on setting the Altimeter setting to 29.92 when passing the transition altitude. And rechecking for proper altimeter setting when reaching the initial Cleared Flight Level. (CFL) In level cruise it is essential that the aircraft is flown at the CFL. This requires that particular care is taken to ensure that the ATC clearances are fully understood and followed. Except in contingency or emergency situations The aircraft should not intentionally depart from the CFL with out a Positive Clearance from ATC. During climbing and descent the aircraft should not be allowed to undershoot or over shoot the CFL by more than 150 ft. The altitude alerting system should be operational.
Contingency Procedures
When operating in DVRSM airspace the Pilot Should notify ATC of any system failures,weather conditions that effect the ability to maintain the CFL and coordinate a plan of action. See Hand out GEN4009 page 8 Severe Turbulence and Mountain wave activity page 8, 10 Merging Target Procedures page 9 Pilot controller Phraseology page 12 Weather and aircraft systems failures page 13
Reports
RVSM Altimeter Log
see hand outs
Fly Safe