AIM

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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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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

the U.S. Both sections require that the operator obtain

authorization prior to operating in RVSM airspace.

14 CFR Section 91.180 requires that, prior to

conducting RVSM operations within the U.S., the

operator obtain authorization from the FAA or from

the responsible authority, as appropriate. In addition,

it requires that the operator and the operator’s aircraft

comply with the standards of 14 CFR Part 91

Appendix G (Operations in RVSM Airspace).

b. Sources of Information.

The FAA

RVSM Website Homepage can be accessed at:
h t t p : / / w w w . f a a . g o v / a b o u t / o f f i c e _ o r g /
headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/enroute/
rvsm/

. The “RVSM Documentation” and “Domestic

RVSM” webpages are linked to the RVSM

Homepage. “RVSM Documentation” contains guid-

ance and direction for an operator to obtain aircraft

and operator approval to conduct RVSM operations.

It provides information for DRVSM and oceanic and

international RVSM airspace. It is recommended that

operators planning to operate in Domestic U.S.

RVSM airspace first review the following documents

to orient themselves to the approval process.

1.

Under “Area of Operations Specific Informa-

tion,” the document, “Basic Operator Information on

DRVSM Programs,” provides an overview of the

DRVSM program and the related aircraft and

operator approval programs.

2.

In the “Getting Started” section, review the

“RVSM Approval Checklist − U.S. Operators” or

“RVSM Approval Checklist − Non−U.S. Operators”

(as applicable). These are job aids or checklists that

show aircraft/operator approval process events with

references to related RVSM documents published on

the website.

3.

Under “Documents Applicable to All RVSM

Approvals,” review “RVSM Area New to the

Operator.” This document provides a guide for

operators that are conducting RVSM operations in

one or more areas of operation, but are planning to

conduct RVSM operations in an area where they have

not previously conducted RVSM operations, such as

the U.S.

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 aircraft monitoring

program. The “Monitoring Requirements and

Procedures” section of the RVSM Documentation

Webpage contains policies and procedures for

participation in the monitoring program. Ground−

based and GPS−based monitoring systems are

available for the Domestic RVSM program.

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. Registration on RVSM Approvals Data-

bases.

The “Registration on RVSM Approvals

Database” section of the RVSM Documentation

Webpage provides policies/procedures for operator

and aircraft registration on RVSM approvals

databases.

1. Purpose of RVSM Approvals Databases.

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.

2. Registration of U.S. Operators.

When U.S.

operators and aircraft are granted RVSM authority,

the FAA Flight Standards office makes an input to the

FAA Program Tracking and Reporting Subsystem

(PTRS). 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 Webpage by

clicking on the appropriate database icon.