AIM
4/3/14
4−6−3
Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the
Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR
3. Registration of Non
−U.S. Operators.
Non−U.S. operators can find policy/procedures for
registration on the North American Approvals
Registry and Monitoring Organization (NAARMO)
database in the “Registration on RVSM Approvals
Database” section of RVSM Documentation.
4
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6
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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 the responsible civil aviation authority has
determined that both the operator and its aircraft are
RVSM−compliant and has issued RVSM authoriza-
tion to the operator.
c.
General Policies for FAA Flight Plan Equip-
ment Suffix. TBL 5−1−3, Aircraft Suffixes, 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 TBL 5−1−3.
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
block 10 (Equipment) to indicate RVSM authoriza-
tion and will also file the appropriate ICAO Flight
Plan suffixes to indicate navigation and communica-
tion capabilities. The equipment suffixes in
TBL 5−1−3 are for use only in an FAA Flight Plan
(FAA Form 7233−1).
2.
Operators/aircraft that file ICAO flight plans
that include flight in Domestic U.S. RVSM airspace
must file “/W” in block 10 to indicate RVSM
authorization.
e.
Importance of Flight Plan Equipment Suffixes.
The operator must file the appropriate equipment
suffix in the equipment block of the FAA Flight Plan
(FAA Form 7233−1) or the ICAO Flight Plan. The
equipment suffix informs ATC:
1.
Whether or not the operator and aircraft are
authorized to fly in RVSM airspace.
2.
The navigation and/or transponder capability
of the aircraft (e.g., advanced RNAV, transponder
with Mode C).
f.
Significant ATC uses of the flight plan
equipment suffix information are:
1.
To issue or deny clearance into RVSM
airspace.
2.
To apply a 2,000 foot vertical separation
minimum in RVSM airspace to aircraft that are not
authorized for RVSM, but are in one of the limited
categories that the FAA has agreed to accommodate.
(See paragraphs 4−6−10, Procedures for Accom-
modation of Non−RVSM Aircraft, and 4−6−11,
Non−RVSM Aircraft Requesting Climb to and
Descent from Flight Levels Above RVSM Airspace
Without Intermediate Level Off, for policy on limited
operation of unapproved aircraft in RVSM airspace).
3.
To determine if the aircraft has “Advanced
RNAV” capabilities and can be cleared to fly
procedures for which that capability is required.
4
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6
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5. Pilot RVSM Operating Practices and
Procedures
a. RVSM Mandate.
If either the operator or the
aircraft or both have not received RVSM authoriza-
tion (non−RVSM aircraft), the pilot will neither
request nor accept a clearance into RVSM airspace
unless:
1.
The flight is conducted by a non−RVSM
DOD, MEDEVAC, certification/development or
foreign State (government) aircraft in accordance
with paragraph 4−6−10, Procedures for Accom-
modation of Non−RVSM Aircraft.