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AIM

4/20/23

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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

Pilot/Controller Phraseology

Message

Phraseology

For a controller to ascertain the RVSM approval status of
an aircraft:

(call sign) confirm RVSM approved

Pilot indication that flight is RVSM approved

Affirm RVSM

Pilot  report of lack of RVSM approval (non

RVSM status).

Pilot will report non

RVSM status, as follows:

Negative RVSM, (supplementary information,
e.g., “Certification flight”).

a.

 On the initial call on any frequency in the RVSM

airspace and . . ..

b.

 In all requests for flight level changes pertaining to

flight levels within the RVSM airspace and . . ..

c.

 In all read backs to flight level clearances pertaining

to flight levels within the RVSM airspace and . . ..

d.

 In read back of flight level clearances involving

climb and descent through RVSM airspace 
(FL 290 

 410).

Pilot report of one of the following after entry into RVSM
airspace: all primary altimeters, automatic altitude control
systems or altitude alerters have failed. 
(See paragraph 4

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9, Contingency Actions: Weather

Encounters and Aircraft System Failures that Occur After
Entry into RVSM Airspace.) 

NOTE

This phrase is to be used to convey both the initial indication of
RVSM aircraft system failure and on initial contact on all
frequencies in RVSM airspace until the problem ceases to exist
or the aircraft has exited RVSM airspace.

Unable RVSM Due Equipment

ATC denial of clearance into RVSM airspace

Unable issue clearance into RVSM airspace, maintain FL

*Pilot reporting inability to maintain cleared flight level
due to weather encounter. 
(See paragraph 4

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9, Contingency Actions: Weather

Encounters and Aircraft System Failures that Occur After
Entry into RVSM Airspace.).

*Unable RVSM due (state reason) (e.g., turbulence,
mountain wave)

ATC requesting pilot to confirm that an aircraft has
regained RVSM

approved status or a pilot is ready to

resume RVSM

Confirm able to resume RVSM

Pilot ready to resume RVSM after aircraft system or
weather contingency

Ready to resume RVSM

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9. Contingency Actions: Weather Encounters and Aircraft System Failures that Occur

After Entry into RVSM Airspace

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2 provides pilot guidance on actions to take under certain conditions of aircraft system failure that

occur after entry into RVSM airspace and weather encounters. It also describes the expected ATC controller
actions in these situations. It is recognized that the pilot and controller will use judgment to determine the action
most appropriate to any given situation.