Index   264 -- Page 265 -- 266

11/10/16
12/10/15                                                                                                   AIM



        Section 6. Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced
         Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the Domestic
        U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR

4-6-1. Applicability and RVSM Mandate                     Paragraph 4-6-11, Non-RVSM Aircraft Requesting
(Date/Time and Area)                                      Climb to and Descent from Flight Levels Above
                                                          RVSM Airspace Without Intermediate Level Off,
   a. Applicability. The policies, guidance and           contains policies for non-RVSM aircraft climbing
direction in this section apply to RVSM operations in     and descending through RVSM airspace to/from
the airspace over the lower 48 states, Alaska, Atlantic   flight levels above RVSM airspace.
and Gulf of Mexico High Offshore Airspace and
airspace in the San Juan FIR where VHF or UHF                d. Benefits. RVSM enhances ATC flexibility,
voice direct controller-pilot communication (DCPC)        mitigates conflict points, enhances sector throughput,
is normally available. Policies, guidance and             reduces controller workload and enables crossing
direction for RVSM operations in oceanic airspace         traffic. Operators gain fuel savings and operating
where VHF or UHF voice DCPC is not available and          efficiency benefits by flying at more fuel efficient
the airspace of other countries are posted on the FAA     flight levels and on more user preferred routings.
"RVSM Documentation" Webpage described in
Paragraph 4-6-3, Aircraft and Operator Approval           4-6-2. Flight Level Orientation Scheme
Policy/Procedures, RVSM Monitoring and Data-
bases for Aircraft and Operator Approval.                 Altitude assignments for direction of flight follow a
                                                          scheme of odd altitude assignment for magnetic
   b. Mandate. At 0901 UTC on January 20, 2005,           courses 000-179 degrees and even altitudes for
the FAA implemented RVSM between flight                   magnetic courses 180-359 degrees for flights up to
level (FL) 290-410 (inclusive) in the following           and including FL 410, as indicated in FIG 4-6-1.
airspace: the airspace of the lower 48 states of the

United States, Alaska, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico                              FIG 4-6-1
High Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR. On the                 Flight Level Orientation Scheme
same time and date, RVSM was also introduced into
the adjoining airspace of Canada and Mexico to
provide a seamless environment for aircraft travers-
ing those borders. In addition, RVSM was
implemented on the same date in the Caribbean and
South American regions.
   c. RVSM Authorization. In accordance with
14 CFR Section 91.180, with only limited excep-
tions, prior to operating in RVSM airspace, operators
and aircraft must have received RVSM authorization
from the responsible civil aviation authority. (See
Paragraph 4-6-10, Procedures for Accommodation
of Non-RVSM Aircraft.) If the operator or aircraft or
both have not been authorized for RVSM operations,
the aircraft will be referred to as a "non-RVSM"
aircraft. Paragraph 4-6-10 discusses ATC policies
for accommodation of non-RVSM aircraft flown by
the Department of Defense, Air Ambulance                  NOTE-
(MEDEVAC) operators, foreign State governments            Odd Flight Levels: Magnetic Course 000-179 Degrees
and aircraft flown for certification and development.     Even Flight Levels: Magnetic Course 180-359 Degrees.



Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the                       4-6-1
Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR