CHAPTER 3

GENERAL

Before preparing a flight plan Operations and Crew Control has to check the following items for each individual flight:

The RVSM status of each individual aircraft planned to be dispatched.
If the RVSM approval for an aircraft is suspended or revoked, or the aircraft equipment required for flights trough RVSM airspace is not serviceable (according to the MEL), the flight plan has to be filed through non RVSM airspace.
The cockpit crew has successfully passed the required RVSM training program.
A Cockpit crew member, who has not passed the RVSM training program, is not allowed to conduct flights trough RVSM airspace.

The flight plan submitted for a flight intending to operate across the lateral limits of the RVSM airspace shall include:

The specific requested flight level for that portion of the route commencing immediately after the entry point at the lateral limits of the RVSM airspace, consistent with the FLAS, if published.
The specific requested flight level for that portion of the route commencing immediately after the exit point at the lateral limits of the RVSM airspace, consistent with the FLAS, if published.
All operators of RVSM approved aircraft, shall insert the letter "W" in Item 10 of the ICAO Flight Plan, regardless of the requested flight level.
All operators filing repetitive flight plans (RPL's) shall include in Item Q of the RPL all equipment and capability information in conformity with Item 10 of the ICAO flight plan form.
Operators of RVSM approved aircraft shall also include the letter "W" in Item Q of the RPL, regardless of the requested flight level.

Flight Level Allocation Scheme (FLAS):	The scheme whereby specific flight levels may be assigned to specific route segments within the route network.
RVSM Operational Approval:	The approval that is issued for each individual aircraft by the appropriate State authority once an operator has achieved the following: I. RVSM Airworthiness approval; and II. State approval of operations manual (OM) and on-going maintenance procedures
Strategic Flight Level:	A flight level which is flight-planable in accordance with the Table of Cruising Levels of ICAO Annex 2, Appendix 3 and the Flight Level Allocation Scheme (FLAS), as specified in the relevant Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP's).
Tactical Flight Level:	A flight level which is not flight-planable and which is reserved for tactical use by ATC.