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AIM

10/12/17

4

6

8

Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the

Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR

Mountain Wave Activity (MWA) Encounters 

 General

Pilot actions:

Controller actions:

Contact ATC and report experiencing MWA

If so desired, pilot may request a FL change or

re

route 

Report location and magnitude of MWA to ATC

Advise pilot of conflicting traffic at adjacent FL

If pilot requests, vector aircraft to avoid merging

target with traffic at adjacent RVSM flight levels,
traffic permitting

Issue FL change or re

route, traffic permitting

Issue PIREP to other aircraft

See paragraph 4

6

6 for guidance on MWA.

Paragraph 4

6

6 explains “traffic permitting.”

NOTE

MWA encounters do not necessarily result in altitude deviations on the order of 200 feet. The guidance below is
intended to address less significant MWA encounters.

Wake Turbulence Encounters

Pilot should:

Controller should:

Contact ATC and request vector, FL change or,

if capable, a lateral offset

Issue vector, FL change or lateral offset

clearance, traffic permitting

See Paragraph 4

6

7, Guidance on Wake

Turbulence.

Paragraph 4

6

6 explains “traffic permitting.”

“Unable RVSM Due Equipment”

Failure of Automatic Altitude Control System, Altitude Alerter or All Primary Altimeters

Pilot will:

Controller will:

Contact ATC and state “Unable RVSM Due

Equipment”

Request clearance out of RVSM airspace unless

operational situation dictates otherwise

Provide 2,000 feet vertical separation or

appropriate horizontal separation

Clear aircraft out of RVSM airspace unless

operational situation dictates otherwise

One Primary Altimeter Remains Operational

Pilot will:

Controller will:

Cross check stand

by altimeter

Notify ATC of operation with single primary

altimeter

If unable to confirm primary altimeter accuracy,

follow actions for failure of all primary altimeters

Acknowledge operation with single primary

altimeter