background image To determine if the aircraft has "Advanced RNAV" capabilities and can be cleared to fly procedures for which that capability is required. g. Improperly changing an aircraft equipment suffix and/or adding "NON-RVS M" in the NOTES or REMARKS section (Field 18) while not removing the "W" from Field 10, will not provide air traffic control with the proper visual indicator necessary to detect Non-RVSM aircraft. To ensure information processes correctly for Non-RVSM aircraft, the "W" in Field 10 must be removed. Entry of in formation in the NOTES or REMARKS section (Field 18) will not affect the determination of RVSM capability and must not be used to indicate a flight is Non-RVSM. - - 5. Pilot RVSM Operating Practices and Procedures a. RVSM Mandate. If either the operator is not authorized for RVSM operations or the aircraft is not RVSM - compliant, the pilot will neither request nor accept a clearance into R VSM airspace unless: The flight is conducted by a non - RVSM DoD, MEDEVAC, certification/development or foreign State (government)[1] aircraft in accordance with paragraph 4 [2]- [3]6 [4]- [5]10, Procedures for Accommodation of Non - RVSM Aircraft. [6]The pilot intends to climb to or descend from FL 430 or above in accordance with paragraph 4 [7]- [8]6 [9]- [10]11, Non - RVSM Aircraft Requesting Climb to and Descent from Flight Levels Above RVSM Airspace Without Intermediate Level Off. An emergency situation exists. b. Basic RVSM Operating Practices and Procedures. AC 91 - 85 contains pilot practices and procedures for RVSM. Operators must incorporate applicable practices and procedures, as supplemented by the applicable paragraphs of this section, into operator training or pilot knowledge programs and operator documents containing RVSM operational policies. c. AC 91 - 85 contains practices and procedures for flight planning, preflight procedures at the aircraft, procedures prior to RVSM airspace entry, inflight (en route) procedures, contingency procedures and post flight. d. The following paragraphs either clarify or supplement AC 91 - 85 practices and procedures. - - 6. Guidance on Severe Turbulence and Mountain Wave Activity (MWA) a. Introduction/Explanation The information and practices in this paragraph are provided to emphasize to pilots and controllers the importance of taking appropriate action in RVSM airspace when aircraft experience severe turbulence and/or MWA that is of sufficient magnitude to significantly affect altitude - keeping. 2. Severe Turbulence. Severe turbulence causes large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude usually accompanied by large variations in indicated airspeed. Aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Encounters with severe turbulence must be remedied immediately in any phase of fli ght. Severe turbulence may be associated with MWA. 3. Mountain Wave Activity (MWA) (a) Significant MWA occurs both below and above the floor of RVSM airspace, FL 290. MWA often occurs in western states in the vicinity of mountain ranges. It may occur when strong winds blow perpendicular to mountain ranges resulting in up and down or wave motions in the atmosphere. Wave action can produce altitude excursions and airspeed fluctuations accompanied by only light turbulence. With sufficient amplitude, however, wave action can induce altitude and airspeed fluctuations accompanied by severe turbulence. MWA is difficult to forecast and can be highly localized and short lived. (b) Wave activity is not necessarily limited to the vicinity of mountain ranges. Pilots experiencing wave activity anywhere that significantly affects altitude - keeping can follow the guidance provided below. - - Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR References 1. file:///media/stevei/plnkx/aspirations/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/320/aim-320.html#0 2. file:///media/stevei/plnkx/aspirations/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/320/aim-320.html#0 3. file:///media/stevei/plnkx/aspirations/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/320/aim-320.html#0 4. file:///media/stevei/plnkx/aspirations/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/320/aim-320.html#0 5. file:///media/stevei/plnkx/aspirations/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/320/aim-320.html#0 6. file:///media/stevei/plnkx/aspirations/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/320/aim-320.html#0 7. file:///media/stevei/plnkx/aspirations/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/320/aim-320.html#0 8. file:///media/stevei/plnkx/aspirations/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/320/aim-320.html#0 9. file:///media/stevei/plnkx/aspirations/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/320/aim-320.html#0 10. file:///media/stevei/plnkx/aspirations/go-faraim/work/src/faraim/faa/aim/320/aim-320.html#0