12/2/21
AIM
approved for RVSM and all other aircraft must be
2,000 feet.
4. Required Pilot Calls.
The pilot of non
−
RVSM aircraft will inform the controller of the lack
of RVSM approval in accordance with the direction
provided in Paragraph 4
−
6
−
8, Pilot/Controller
Phraseology.
b. Categories of Non
−
RVSM Aircraft that may
be Accommodated
Subject to FAA approval and clearance, the following
categories of non
−
RVSM aircraft may operate in
domestic U.S. RVSM airspace provided they have an
operational transponder.
1.
Department of Defense (DOD) aircraft.
2.
Flights conducted for aircraft certification
and development purposes.
3.
Active air ambulance flights utilizing a
“MEDEVAC” call sign.
4.
Aircraft climbing/descending through
RVSM flight levels (without intermediate level off)
to/from FLs above RVSM airspace (Policies for these
flights are detailed in paragraph 4
−
6
−
11, Non
−
RVSM
Aircraft Requesting Climb to and Descent from
Flight Levels Above RVSM Airspace Without
Intermediate Level Off.
5.
Foreign State (government) aircraft.
c.
Methods for operators of non
−
RVSM aircraft to
request access to RVSM Airspace. Operators may:
1. LOA/MOU.
Enter into a Letter of Agree
ment (LOA)/Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the RVSM facility (the Air Traffic
facility that provides air traffic services in RVSM
airspace). Operators must comply with LOA/MOU.
2. File
−
and
−
Fly.
File a flight plan to notify the
FAA of their intention to request access to RVSM
airspace.
NOTE
−
Priority for access to RVSM airspace will be afforded to
RVSM compliant aircraft, then File
−
and
−
Fly flights.
4
−
6
−
11. Non
−
RVSM Aircraft Requesting
Climb to and Descent from Flight Levels
Above RVSM Airspace Without
Intermediate Level Off
a. File
−
and
−
Fly.
Operators of Non
−
RVSM air
craft climbing to and descending from RVSM flight
levels should just file a flight plan.
b.
Non
−
RVSM aircraft climbing to and descend
ing from flight levels above RVSM airspace will be
handled on a workload permitting basis. The vertical
separation standard applied in RVSM airspace
between non
−
RVSM aircraft and all other aircraft
must be 2,000 feet.
c.
Non
−
RVSM aircraft climbing to/descending
from RVSM airspace can only be considered for
accommodation provided:
1.
Aircraft is capable of a continuous climb/de
scent and does not need to level off at an intermediate
altitude for any operational considerations and
2.
Aircraft is capable of climb/descent at the
normal rate for the aircraft.
d. Required Pilot Calls.
The pilot of non
−
RVSM
aircraft will inform the controller of the lack of
RVSM approval in accordance with the direction
provided in paragraph 4
−
6
−
8, Pilot/Controller
Phraseology.
Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the
4
−
6
−
9
Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR