D.R.V.S.M.D.R.V.S.M.DomesticDomestic

ReducedReducedVerticalVerticalSeparationSeparationMinimumsMinimums

Welcome to PrestoSIM's DVRSMWelcome to PrestoSIM's DVRSMTrainingTraining

The scope of this training is to fulfill the requirements ofThe scope of this training is to fulfill the requirements ofAC-91-RVSM Appendix 4 Crew Training.AC-91-RVSM Appendix 4 Crew Training.

Why do we have DRVSM?Why do we have DRVSM? Six more flight levels in the airspace between FL290 Six more flight levels in the airspace between FL290

- 410- 410 Better operating economies and reduced in-flight Better operating economies and reduced in-flight

delays for aircraft operatorsdelays for aircraft operators Environmental benefits from reduced fuel burnEnvironmental benefits from reduced fuel burn Operational flexibility for controllersOperational flexibility for controllers Eventual capacity benefits through more efficient Eventual capacity benefits through more efficient

use of airspace and vertical layering of sectorsuse of airspace and vertical layering of sectors Separation criteria common in all airspace up to Separation criteria common in all airspace up to

FL410FL410 More scope for the use of Flight Level Allocation More scope for the use of Flight Level Allocation

Scheme (FLAS) to resolve conflicts at crossing points. Scheme (FLAS) to resolve conflicts at crossing points.

Where Is DVRSM UsedWhere Is DVRSM Used On January 20, 2005, RVSM was implemented in the On January 20, 2005, RVSM was implemented in the

airspace shown below:airspace shown below:

                Between flight level (FL) 290 – 410 (inclusive) in Between flight level (FL) 290 – 410 (inclusive) in the airspace of the lower 48 States, Alaska, Atlantic the airspace of the lower 48 States, Alaska, Atlantic High and Gulf of Mexico High Offshore Airspace and High and Gulf of Mexico High Offshore Airspace and the San Juan Flight Information Region (FIR). the San Juan Flight Information Region (FIR).

                Between FL 290-410 (inclusive) in Southern Between FL 290-410 (inclusive) in Southern Canadian Domestic Airspace and the airspace of Canadian Domestic Airspace and the airspace of Mexico. (RVSM was implemented in Northern Mexico. (RVSM was implemented in Northern Canadian Domestic Airspace in 2002).Canadian Domestic Airspace in 2002).

Affected areas (Includes Mia, Hou Oceanic & San Juan FIR)

DRVSM AltitudesDRVSM Altitudes

RVSM World OverRVSM World Over

Who can operate in DRVSM?Who can operate in DRVSM?

Title 14 CFR. 91.180 States: Except as provided in Title 14 CFR. 91.180 States: Except as provided in paragraph (b) of section, no person may operate a civil paragraph (b) of section, no person may operate a civil aircraft in airspace designated as Reduced Vertical aircraft in airspace designated as Reduced Vertical Separation minimum (RVSM) airspace unless:Separation minimum (RVSM) airspace unless:

(1) The operator and operator’s aircraft comply with the (1) The operator and operator’s aircraft comply with the minimum standards of Appendix G of this Part; andminimum standards of Appendix G of this Part; and

The operator is authorized by the administrator or the The operator is authorized by the administrator or the country of registry to conduct such operations.country of registry to conduct such operations.

(b) The administrator may authorize a deviation from (b) The administrator may authorize a deviation from the requirements of this section.the requirements of this section.

What does this Mean?What does this Mean?

The Aircraft has to be approved.The Aircraft has to be approved.This is accomplished by either:This is accomplished by either:

The Manufacture building the aircraft to RVSM The Manufacture building the aircraft to RVSM requirements, orrequirements, or

A Service Bulletin or STC to modify the aircraft to RVSM A Service Bulletin or STC to modify the aircraft to RVSM requirementsrequirements

The Operator / Crew has to be trained and approved.The Operator / Crew has to be trained and approved. Operational Procedures and Programs will be developed Operational Procedures and Programs will be developed

and approved.and approved. A Maintenance Program will be developed and approved.A Maintenance Program will be developed and approved. Approx 60 days in advance, The operator will submit an Approx 60 days in advance, The operator will submit an

application to their FSDO For Operational approval.application to their FSDO For Operational approval.

What Guidance do we have for What Guidance do we have for this process?this process?

http://www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm_documentation.htmhttp://www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm_documentation.htm 91-RVSM91-RVSM Part 91 Appendix G Part 91 Appendix G Monitoring FAQsMonitoring FAQs

Approval ProcessApproval ProcessOperator ApprovalOperator Approval

Airworthiness ApprovalAirworthiness Approval Operational Procedures and ProgramsOperational Procedures and Programs Approval should be requested at least 60 Approval should be requested at least 60

days prior to proposed RVSM operationsdays prior to proposed RVSM operations

Pre-Application MeetingPre-Application Meeting Schedule a Meeting With The local FSDOSchedule a Meeting With The local FSDO Purpose of Meeting:Purpose of Meeting: To discuss the requirements of the Approval Process.To discuss the requirements of the Approval Process.

• Contents of Operators RVSM Application• Process of FAA Review and Evaluation

Contents of ApplicationContents of Application

• Airworthiness Documents.Airworthiness Documents.• Description of Aircraft equipment.Description of Aircraft equipment.• Operational Training Program and Operating Practices and Operational Training Program and Operating Practices and

Procedures.Procedures.• Operations Manuals and ChecklistOperations Manuals and Checklist• Past Performance.Past Performance.• Minimum Equipment List If Using oneMinimum Equipment List If Using one• Maintenance Program.Maintenance Program.• Plan for participation in Monitoring Program.Plan for participation in Monitoring Program.

OperationalOperational

What is required of the Crew before flight is conducted What is required of the Crew before flight is conducted with inwith in

RVSM Airspace?RVSM Airspace?

Preflight PlanningPreflight Planning Verify That the aircraft is approved for RVSM operations.Verify That the aircraft is approved for RVSM operations. Insure that all NOTAMS and information pertinent to the Insure that all NOTAMS and information pertinent to the

RVSM airspace is reviewed and a copy is kept in the RVSM airspace is reviewed and a copy is kept in the Cockpit.Cockpit.

Insure Block 3 of the Flight plan form indicates that the Insure Block 3 of the Flight plan form indicates that the operator and the aircraft is approved for RVSM operations.operator and the aircraft is approved for RVSM operations.

See handout on suffix codesSee handout on suffix codes

Review Tropoause charts for performance capability and Review Tropoause charts for performance capability and wind charts for turbulent conditions. To determine if eitherwind charts for turbulent conditions. To determine if either

Could exceed altitude keeping equipment.parametersCould exceed altitude keeping equipment.parameters

Preflight ProceduresPreflight Procedures

Review Maintenance logs insure there are Review Maintenance logs insure there are no items that would effect RVSM operations:no items that would effect RVSM operations:

Altimeter system,Altimeter system, Altitude reporting equipment,Altitude reporting equipment, Altitude alerting devices,Altitude alerting devices,

Aircraft PreflightAircraft Preflight Altimeter Checks:Altimeter Checks: Set both altimeters to local altimeter settings, QNHSet both altimeters to local altimeter settings, QNH

(This must be done at a known elevation.)(This must be done at a known elevation.) The difference between altimeter readings, And the known The difference between altimeter readings, And the known

elevation (airport elevation)elevation (airport elevation) MUST NOT EXCEED MUST NOT EXCEED ± ± 75 FEET.75 FEET.

Static Sources:Static Sources: During exterior inspection pay particular attention to the Static During exterior inspection pay particular attention to the Static

Source and the condition of the skin surface in the vicinity of the Source and the condition of the skin surface in the vicinity of the source.source.

This check can be performed by a qualified and authorized This check can be performed by a qualified and authorized person other than the pilot. e.g. maintenance personnel.person other than the pilot. e.g. maintenance personnel.

SystemSystem requirementsrequirementsPrior to entering RVSM airspacePrior to entering RVSM airspace

The following must be fully operational: Two independent Altitude Measurement Systems. One secondary surveillance radar(SSR) Mode S transponder.secondary surveillance radar(SSR) Mode S transponder. One altitude alerting system.One altitude alerting system. One automatic altitude control system ( AFCS) Autopilot. If TCAS is installed select TA/RA modes. (Change 7 must be

Incorporated). Should any of the systems above fail prior to entering RVSM

airspace , The pilot will request a new clearance to avoid flight in RVSM air space.

TCASTCAS EquipageEquipage..

TCAS equipage requirements are contained in 14 CFR TCAS equipage requirements are contained in 14 CFR sections 121.356, 125.224, 129.18 and 135.189.  Part 91 sections 121.356, 125.224, 129.18 and 135.189.  Part 91 Appendix G does not contain TCAS equipage requirements Appendix G does not contain TCAS equipage requirements specific to RVSM, however, Appendix G does require that specific to RVSM, however, Appendix G does require that aircraft equipped with TCAS II and flown in RVSM airspace aircraft equipped with TCAS II and flown in RVSM airspace be modified to incorporate TCAS II Version 7.0 or a laterbe modified to incorporate TCAS II Version 7.0 or a later

In Flight ProceduresIn Flight Procedures Emphasis should be placed on setting the Altimeter setting to Emphasis should be placed on setting the Altimeter setting to

29.92 when passing the transition altitude. And 29.92 when passing the transition altitude. And rechecking rechecking for proper altimeter setting when reaching the initial Cleared for proper altimeter setting when reaching the initial Cleared Flight Level. (CFL)Flight Level. (CFL)

In level cruise it is essential that the aircraft is flown at the In level cruise it is essential that the aircraft is flown at the CFL. This requires that particular care is taken to ensure that CFL. This requires that particular care is taken to ensure that the ATC clearances are fully understood and followed.the ATC clearances are fully understood and followed.

Except in contingency or emergency situations The aircraft Except in contingency or emergency situations The aircraft should not intentionally depart from the CFL with out a should not intentionally depart from the CFL with out a Positive Clearance from ATC.Positive Clearance from ATC.

During climbing and descent the aircraft should not be allowed During climbing and descent the aircraft should not be allowed to undershoot or over shoot the CFL by more than 150 ft.to undershoot or over shoot the CFL by more than 150 ft.

The altitude alerting system should be operationalThe altitude alerting system should be operational..

In Flight Procedures con’tIn Flight Procedures con’t It is recommended that the level off be accomplished using the It is recommended that the level off be accomplished using the

altitude capture feature of the automatic altitude-control systemaltitude capture feature of the automatic altitude-control system At intervals of approximately one hour, Cross-checks between the At intervals of approximately one hour, Cross-checks between the

primary altimeters (and standby if installed) should be made, A primary altimeters (and standby if installed) should be made, A minimum of two primary altimeters should agree within 200 ft or less.minimum of two primary altimeters should agree within 200 ft or less.

Failure to meet this condition will require that the altimetry System be Failure to meet this condition will require that the altimetry System be reported as defective and notify ATC.reported as defective and notify ATC.

The difference between the primary and standby altimeter should be The difference between the primary and standby altimeter should be noted for use in contingency situations.noted for use in contingency situations.

The altimetry system used to control the aircraft should be selected The altimetry system used to control the aircraft should be selected to provide the input to the altitude-reporting transponder transmitting to provide the input to the altitude-reporting transponder transmitting information to ATC.information to ATC.

Contingency ProceduresContingency Procedures When operating in DVRSM airspace the Pilot Should notify When operating in DVRSM airspace the Pilot Should notify

ATC of any system failures,weather conditions that effect ATC of any system failures,weather conditions that effect the ability to maintain the CFL and coordinate a plan of the ability to maintain the CFL and coordinate a plan of action.action.

See Hand out GEN4009 page 8See Hand out GEN4009 page 8 Severe Turbulence and Mountain wave activity page 8, 10Severe Turbulence and Mountain wave activity page 8, 10 Merging Target Procedures page 9Merging Target Procedures page 9 Pilot controller Phraseology page 12Pilot controller Phraseology page 12 Weather and aircraft systems failures page 13Weather and aircraft systems failures page 13

Reporting Altitude-Keeping Reporting Altitude-Keeping ErrorsErrors

Each operator Shall report to the administrator each event Each operator Shall report to the administrator each event in which the operators aircraft has exhibited the following in which the operators aircraft has exhibited the following altitude-keeping errors.altitude-keeping errors.

A total of 300 feet or more.A total of 300 feet or more. Altimetry system error of 245 feet or more; orAltimetry system error of 245 feet or more; or Assigned altitude deviation of 300 feet or moreAssigned altitude deviation of 300 feet or more

Removal or Amendment Removal or Amendment AuthorityAuthority

The administrator may revoke or restrict and RVSM The administrator may revoke or restrict and RVSM authorization if the administrator determines that the authorization if the administrator determines that the operator is not complying ,or is unable to comply, with this operator is not complying ,or is unable to comply, with this appendix G to part 91 or subpart H of this part, examples appendix G to part 91 or subpart H of this part, examples of reasons for amendment, revocation or restriction include of reasons for amendment, revocation or restriction include but are not limited to, an operator’s:but are not limited to, an operator’s:

Committing one or more altitude-keeping errors in RVSM Committing one or more altitude-keeping errors in RVSM airspace;airspace;

Falling to making an effective and timely response to Falling to making an effective and timely response to identify and correct altitude-keeping error; or identify and correct altitude-keeping error; or

Failing to report an Altitude-keeping error.Failing to report an Altitude-keeping error.

ReportsReports

RVSM Altimeter LogRVSM Altimeter Log see hand outssee hand outs

Height keeping report Height keeping report see hand outssee hand outs

This concludes The DRVSM This concludes The DRVSM training training

Fly Safe Fly Safe