6/17/21
AIM
Section 6. Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced
Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the Domestic
U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR
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1. Applicability and RVSM Mandate
(Date/Time and Area)
a. Applicability.
The policies, guidance and
direction in this section apply to RVSM operations in
the airspace over the lower 48 states, Alaska, Atlantic
and Gulf of Mexico High Offshore Airspace and
airspace in the San Juan FIR where VHF or UHF
voice direct controller
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pilot communication (DCPC)
is normally available. Policies, guidance and
direction for RVSM operations in oceanic airspace
where VHF or UHF voice DCPC is not available and
the airspace of other countries can be found in the
Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), Part II
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En Route, ENR 1. General Rules and Procedures, and
ENR 7.Oceanic Operations.
b. Requirement.
The FAA implemented RVSM
between flight level (FL) 290
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410 (inclusive) in the
following airspace: the airspace of the lower 48
states of the United States, Alaska, Atlantic and Gulf
of Mexico High Offshore Airspace and the San Juan
FIR. RVSM has been implemented worldwide and
may be applied in all ICAO Flight Information
Regions (FIR).
c. RVSM Authorization.
In accordance with
14 CFR Section 91.180, with only limited excep-
tions, prior to operating in RVSM airspace, operators
must comply with the standards of Part 91, Appendix G,
and be authorized by the Administrator. If either the
operator or the operator’s aircraft have not met the
applicable RVSM standards, the aircraft will be
referred to as a “non
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RVSM” aircraft. Paragraph
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6
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10 discusses ATC policies for accommodation
of non
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RVSM aircraft flown by the Department of
Defense, Air Ambulance (MEDEVAC) operators,
foreign State governments and aircraft flown for
certification and development. Paragraph 4
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11,
Non
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RVSM Aircraft Requesting Climb to and
Descent from Flight Levels Above RVSM Airspace
Without Intermediate Level Off, contains policies for
non
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RVSM aircraft climbing and descending
through RVSM airspace to/from flight levels above
RVSM airspace.
d. Benefits.
RVSM enhances ATC flexibility,
mitigates conflict points, enhances sector throughput,
reduces controller workload and enables crossing
traffic. Operators gain fuel savings and operating
efficiency benefits by flying at more fuel efficient
flight levels and on more user preferred routings.
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2. Flight Level Orientation Scheme
Altitude assignments for direction of flight follow a
scheme of odd altitude assignment for magnetic
courses 000
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179 degrees and even altitudes for
magnetic courses 180
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359 degrees for flights up to
and including FL 410, as indicated in FIG 4
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1.
FIG 4
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1
Flight Level Orientation Scheme
NOTE
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Odd Flight Levels: Magnetic Course 000
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179 Degrees
Even Flight Levels: Magnetic Course 180
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359 Degrees.
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3. Aircraft and Operator Approval
Policy/Procedures, RVSM Monitoring and
Databases for Aircraft and Operator
Approval
a. RVSM Authority
. 14 CFR Section 91.180
applies to RVSM operations within the U.S. 14 CFR
Section 91.706 applies to RVSM operations outside
Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the
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Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR