What Is Rvsm Equipment

An equipment code describes the communication com navigation nav approach aids and surveillance transponder equipment on board an aircraft these alphabetic codes are used on faa and icao flight plan forms to aid air traffic services personnel in their handling of aircraft.

What is rvsm equipment.

Rvsm description ac 91 85b b 2 1 rvsm airspace was designed to allow 1 000 ft vertical separation between aircraft operating at flight levels fl at or above fl 290 at 0901 universal coordinated time utc on january 20 2005 the faa implemented rvsm between fl 290 410 inclusive in the following airspace. Information sheet for application of a part 91 rvsm authorization pdf 2 13 20 new. The airspace of the lower 48 states of the united states alaska atlantic. But with everything in aviation there are rules that need to be followed.

The pilots shall notify atc of any equipment failure weather hazards such as severe turbulence etc which may affect the ability to maintain the cleared level or the rvsm requirements. Rvsm was implemented to reduce the vertical separation above flight level fl 290 from 2000 ft minimum to 1000 ft minimum. When an aircraft operating in rvsm airspace encounters severe turbulence due to weather or wake vortex which the pilot believes will impact the aircraft s. Within rvsm airspace air traffic control atc separates aircraft by a minimum of 1 000 feet vertically between flight level fl 290 and fl 410 inclusive.

Part 91 operator application to conduct rvsm operations pdf 2 13 20. Aircraft flying in rvsm airspace need specially certified autopilots and altimeters and pilots flying in rvsm airspace need specialized training more on all of that here if you re not authorized to fly in rvsm airspace atc. Rvsm was implemented as a means to increase airspace capacity and provide access to more fuel efficient flight levels. The operator and the aircraft used by the operator must be approved by the administrator.

If you are filing for a basic airliner type aircraft you can include the w suffix for now. On the faa domestic flight plan form faa form 7233 1 the equipment code is a single character placed in block 3. Reduced vertical separation minima or minimum rvsm is the reduction from 2 000 feet to 1 000 feet of the standard vertical separation required between aircraft flying between flight level 290 29 000 ft and flight level 410 41 000 ft expressed in the international system of units si it is the reduction from 600 m to 300 m of required vertical separation of aircraft between. It allows aircraft to safely fly more optimum profiles gain fuel savings and increase airspace capacity.

Rvsm airspace is special qualification airspace. Reduced vertical separation minimum rvsm is defined as the reduction of vertical space between aircraft from 2 000 to 1 000 feet at flight levels from 29 000 feet up to 41 000 feet. Advisory circular 91 85b authorization of aircraft and operators for flight in reduced vertical separation minimum airspace 7 21 16 pdf new.