HANKE-Aviation GmbH - Flight Crew Training

Introduction to RVSM

CHAPTER 1

BACKGROUND

A RVSM airspace is defined as any airspace or route where the aircraft are separated vertically by 1000ft between FL 290 and FL 410 inclusive (instead of 2000ft).

The objective is to increase the route capacity of saturated airspace while keeping at least the same level of safety. This can be achieved in imposing stringent requirements on equipment and training of personnel, flight crews and ATC controllers. As part of the RVSM program, the altitude keeping performance of the aircraft is monitored, overhead specific ground based measurement units, to continuously verify that airspace users are applying the approved criteria effectively and that the overall safety objectives are maintained.

The concept was first implemented in the NAT MNPS area and associated airspace, from FL 330 to FL370 inclusive, starting in March 1997 and fully implemented in January 1998. RVSM airspace expansion is planned in the NAT region and may include FL 310 and FL390 by the end of 1998. In 1998, 90 % of NAT MNPS operations are conducted with RVSM approved aircraft and 75% use FL 330 to 370. Since its start, the RVSM concept has been validated; the altitude keeping performance of the aircraft monitored by the Height Monitoring Units (HMU) of Gander and Strumble indicated that the safety objectives are met.

The NAT RVSM operational experience has shown some cases of spurious TCAS messages cases of wake vortex encounter.

The few reported occurrences were considered as being not critical. Next generation of TCAS will solve the TCAS events and spacing or offset track under specific weather conditions will reduce the vortex encounters.

 

RVSM Implementation

A Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) of 300m (1000ft) separation between aircraft was introduced on 24 January 2002 by 41 European and North African countries.

RVSM provides six additional cruising levels between FL 290 and FL 410, resulting in substantial reductions in fuel costs and in-flight delays.


 

 

 

RVSM Area of Applicability [extract from the ICAO Regional Supplementary Procedures for Europe (Doc 7030/4 EUR)]

RVSM is applied in the volume of airspace between FL290 and FL410 inclusive in the following flight information regions/upper flight information regions (FIRs/UIRs):

 
RVSM Status Americas - Europe
North Atlantic: March 27, 1997 FL 330-370
  October 1998 FL 310-390
  Jan 24, 2002 FL 290-410
West Atltanic Rt Syst (WATRS): Nov 1, 2001 FL 310-390
  24 January 2002 FL 290-410
Europe Tactical (UK, Ireland,Germany, Austria) April 2001 FL 290-410
Europe-wide 24 January 2002 FL 290-410
South Atlantic: 24 January 2002 FL 290-410
Canada Northern Domestic 18 April 2002 FL 290-410
Canada Southern Domestic January 20, 2005 FL 290-410
Domestic US January 20, 2005 FL 290-410
Caribbean/Central/South America January 20, 2005 Consult AIPs


 

RVSM Status Asia/Pacific
Pacific: February 24, 2000 FL 290-390
*FL 410 is available for non-RVSM approved flights Tactical Use FL 400-410
Australia: November 2001 FL 290-410
Western Pacific/South China Sea Feb 21, 2002 Consult AIPs
Mid East: November 2003 Consult AIPs
Asia-Europe/South of Himalayas: November 2003 Consult AIPs


 

RVSM Status Asia/Pacific
Eurasia: November 17, 2011 Consult AIPS
Russian Federation: November 17, 2011 FL 290-410
Afghanistan November 17, 2012 FL 290-410
Kazakhstan: November 17,2011 FL 290-410
Kyrgyzstan: November 17,2012 FL 290-410
Mongolia: November 17,2011 FL 290-410
Tajikistann: November 17,2011 FL 290-410
Uzbekistan: November 17, 2011 FL 290-410

 

 

ABBREVIATIONS

AAD

Assigned Altitude Deviation

ACAS

Airborne Collision Avoidance System

ACC

Area Control Centre

ADC

Air Data Computer

ADR

Air Data Reference

AFM

Airplane Flight Manual

AMC

Airspace Management Cell

AOC

Air Operators Certificate

AP

Autopilot

ASE

Altimetry System Error

ATC

Air Traffic Control

ATM

Air Traffic Management

ATS

Air Traffic Services

BRNAV

Basic Area Navigation

CBT

Computer Based Training

CFL

Cleared Flight Level

CFMU

Eurocontrol Central Flow Management Unit

CMA

Central Monitoring Agency

CNS

Communication, Navigation and Surveillance

CRM

Collision Risk Model

CTA

Control Area

CVSM

Conventional Vertical Separation Minima

DMC

Display Management Computer

EANPG

European Air Navigation Planning Group

EATCHIP

European Air Traffic Control Harmonization and Integration Program

ECAC

European Civil Aviation Conference

FCOM

Flight Crew Operating Manual

FCU

Flight Control Unit

FDPS

Flight Data Processing System

FIR

Flight Information Region

FL

Flight Level

FLAS

Flight Level Allocation Scheme

FM

Flight Management

FMS

Flight Management System

FPL

Filed Flight Plan

FTE

Flight Technical Error

FWC

Flight Warning Computer

GMS

Global Positioning System Monitoring System

GMU

Global Positioning System Monitoring Unit

GNE

Gross Navigational Error

GPS

Global Positioning System

GPWS

Ground Proximity Warning System

HF

High Frequency

HMU

Height Monitoring Unit

IFPS

Integrated Initial Flight Plan Processing System

IRS

Inertial Reference System

JAA

Joint Aviation Authorities

MASPS

Minimum Aircraft System Performance Specification

MEL

Minimum Equipment List

MMEL

Master Minimum Equipment List

MNPS

Minimum Navigation Performance Specification

MOS

Minimum Operating Standard

NAT

North Atlantic

NAT CMA

North Atlantic Central Monitoring Agency

NAT SPG

North Atlantic Systems Planning Group

OAC

Oceanic Area Control Center

OCA

Oceanic Control Area

OCC

Operations Control Center

OM

Operations Manual (Parts A, B, C, D)

OTS

Organized Track System

PFD

Primary Flight Display

PTS

Polar Track Structure

RA

Resolution Advisory (ACAS)

RFL

Requested Flight Level

RNAV

Area Navigation

RNP

Required Navigation Performance

RTA

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum Transition Area

RTF

Radiotelephony

RVSM

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum of 300 m (1000 ft) between FL 290 and FL 410 inclusive.

SB

Service Bulletin

SD

Standard Deviation

SSEC

Static Source Error Correction

SSR

Secondary Surveillance Radar

SST

Supersonic Transport

TA

Traffic Advisory (ACAS)

TCAS

Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System

TGL

Temporary Guidance Leaflet

TLS

Target Level of Safety

TSA

Temporary Segregated Area

TSE

Total System Error

TVE

Total Vertical Error

UAC

Upper Area Control Center

UIR

Upper Flight Information Region

VSM

Vertical Separation Minimum

   

RELATED DOCUMENTS AND INTERNET SITES

Information on all aspects of the European RVSM program is available through the Internet by addressing the EUROCONTROL RVSM Web site:

www.ecacnav.com/RVSM

 

Additional Information for the RVSM Approval Process is provided by the LBA RVSM-Merkblatt (german).

(c) M.Hanke 2014