AIM
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the U.S. Both sections require that the operator be
authorized prior to operating in RVSM airspace. For
Domestic RVSM operations, an operator may choose
to operate under the provisions of Part 91,
Appendix G, Section 9; or if intending to operate
outside U.S. airspace, hold a specific approval
(OpSpec/MSpec/LOA) under the provisions of
Section 3 of Part 91, Appendix G.
b. Sources of Information.
Advisory Circular
(AC) 91
−
85, Authorization of Aircraft and Operators
for Flight in Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum
(RVSM) Airspace, and the FAA RVSM website.
c. TCAS Equipage.
TCAS equipage require-
ments are contained in 14 CFR Sections 121.356,
125.224, 129.18 and 135.189. Part 91, Appendix G,
does not contain TCAS equipage requirements
specific to RVSM, however, Appendix G does
require that aircraft equipped with TCAS II and flown
in RVSM airspace be modified to incorporate
TCAS II Version 7.0 or a later version.
d. Aircraft Monitoring.
Operators are required
to participate in the RVSM altitude
−
keeping
performance monitoring program that is appropri-
ate for the type of operation being conducted. The
monitoring programs are described in AC 91
−
85.
Monitoring is a quality control program that enables
the FAA and other civil aviation authorities to assess
the in
−
service altitude
−
keeping performance of
aircraft and operators.
e. Purpose of RVSM Approvals Databases.
All
RVSM designated airspace is monitored airspace.
ATC does not use RVSM approvals databases to
determine whether or not a clearance can be issued
into RVSM airspace. RVSM program managers do
regularly review the operators and aircraft that
operate in RVSM airspace to identify and investigate
those aircraft and operators flying in RVSM airspace,
but not listed on the RVSM approvals databases.
f. Registration of U.S. Operators.
When U.S.
operators and aircraft are granted specific RVSM
authority, the Separation Standards Group at the FAA
Technical Center obtains PTRS operator and aircraft
information to update the FAA maintained U.S.
Operator/Aircraft RVSM Approvals database. Basic
database operator and aircraft information can be
viewed on the RVSM Documentation web page in the
“RVSM Approvals” section.
4
−
6
−
4. Flight Planning into RVSM Airspace
a.
Operators that do not file the correct aircraft
equipment suffix on the FAA or ICAO Flight Plan
may be denied clearance into RVSM airspace.
Policies for the FAA Flight Plan are detailed in
subparagraph c below. Policies for the ICAO Flight
Plan are detailed in subparagraph d.
b.
The operator will annotate the equipment block
of the FAA or ICAO Flight Plan with an aircraft
equipment suffix indicating RVSM capability only
after determining that both the operator is authorized
and its aircraft are RVSM
−
compliant.
1.
An operator may operate in RVSM airspace
under the provisions of Part 91, Appendix G,
Section 9, without specific authorization and should
file “/w” in accordance with paragraph d.
2.
An operator must get an OpSpec/MSpec/
LOA when intending to operate RVSM outside U.S.
airspace. Once issued, that operator can file “/w” in
accordance with paragraph d.
3.
An operator should not file “/w” when
intending to operate in RVSM airspace outside of the
U.S., if they do not hold a valid OpSpec/MSpec/
LOA.
c.
General Policies for FAA Flight Plan Equip-
ment Suffix. Appendix 4, TBL 4
−
2, allows operators
to indicate that the aircraft has both RVSM and
Advanced Area Navigation (RNAV) capabilities or
has only RVSM capability.
1.
The operator will annotate the equipment
block of the FAA Flight Plan with the appropriate
aircraft equipment suffix from Appendix 4, TBL 4
−
2
and/or TBL 4
−
3.
2.
Operators can only file one equipment suffix
in block 3 of the FAA Flight Plan. Only this
equipment suffix is displayed directly to the
controller.
3.
Aircraft with RNAV Capability. For flight in
RVSM airspace, aircraft with RNAV capability, but
not Advanced RNAV capability, will file “/W”. Filing
“/W” will not preclude such aircraft from filing and
flying direct routes in en route airspace.
d.
Policy for ICAO Flight Plan Equipment
Suffixes.
1.
Operators/aircraft that are RVSM
−
compliant
and that file ICAO flight plans will file “/W” in
4
−
6
−
2
Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the
Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR