AIM
10/12/17
4
−
6
−
9
Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the
Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR
Transponder Failure
Pilot will:
Controller will:
Contact ATC and request authority to continue
to operate at cleared flight level
Comply with revised ATC clearance, if issued
Consider request to continue to operate at
cleared flight level
Issue revised clearance, if necessary
NOTE
−
14 CFR Section 91.215 (ATC transponder and altitude
reporting equipment and use) regulates operation with the
transponder inoperative.
4
−
6
−
10. Procedures for Accommodation of
Non
−
RVSM Aircraft
a. General Policies for Accommodation of
Non
−
RVSM Aircraft
1.
The RVSM mandate calls for only RVSM
authorized aircraft/operators to fly in designated
RVSM airspace with limited exceptions. The policies
detailed below are intended exclusively for use by
aircraft that the FAA has agreed to accommodate.
They are not intended to provide other operators a
means to circumvent the normal RVSM approval
process.
2.
If either the operator or aircraft or both have
not been authorized to conduct RVSM operations, the
aircraft will be referred to as a “non
−
RVSM” aircraft.
14 CFR Section 91.180 and Part 91 Appendix G
enable the FAA to authorize a deviation to operate a
non
−
RVSM aircraft in RVSM airspace.
3.
Non
−
RVSM aircraft flights will be handled
on a workload permitting basis. The vertical
separation standard applied between aircraft not
approved for RVSM and all other aircraft must be
2,000 feet.
4. Required Pilot Calls.
The pilot of non
−
RVSM aircraft will inform the controller of the lack
of RVSM approval in accordance with the direction
provided in Paragraph 4
−
6
−
8, Pilot/Controller
Phraseology.
b. Categories of Non
−
RVSM Aircraft that may
be Accommodated
Subject to FAA approval and clearance, the following
categories of non
−
RVSM aircraft may operate in
domestic U.S. RVSM airspace provided they have an
operational transponder.
1.
Department of Defense (DOD) aircraft.
2.
Flights conducted for aircraft certification
and development purposes.
3.
Active air ambulance flights utilizing a
“MEDEVAC” call sign.
4.
Aircraft climbing/descending through
RVSM flight levels (without intermediate level off)
to/from FLs above RVSM airspace (Policies for these
flights are detailed in Paragraph 4
−
6
−
11, Non
−
RVSM
Aircraft Requesting Climb to and Descent from
Flight Levels Above RVSM Airspace Without
Intermediate Level Off.
5.
Foreign State (government) aircraft.
c.
Methods for operators of non
−
RVSM aircraft to
request access to RVSM Airspace. Operators may:
1. LOA/MOU.
Enter into a Letter of Agree-
ment (LOA)/Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the RVSM facility (the Air Traffic
facility that provides air traffic services in RVSM
airspace). Operators must comply with LOA/MOU.
2. File
−
and
−
Fly.
File a flight plan to notify the
FAA of their intention to request access to RVSM
airspace.
NOTE
−
Priority for access to RVSM airspace will be afforded to
RVSM compliant aircraft, then File
−
and
−
Fly flights.