Index   272 -- Page 273 -- 274

11/10/16
12/10/15                                                                                                           AIM




                                                   Transponder Failure
     Pilot will:                                                 Controller will:
         SContact ATC and request authority to continue            SConsider request to continue to operate at
         to operate at cleared flight level                        cleared flight level

           SComply with revised ATC clearance, if issued            SIssue 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                              b. Categories of Non-RVSM Aircraft that may
Non-RVSM Aircraft                                                  be Accommodated
 a. General Policies for Accommodation of                          Subject to FAA approval and clearance, the following
Non-RVSM Aircraft                                                  categories of non-RVSM aircraft may operate in
     1. The RVSM mandate calls for only RVSM                       domestic U.S. RVSM airspace provided they have an
authorized aircraft/operators to fly in designated                 operational transponder.
RVSM airspace with limited exceptions. The policies                     1. Department of Defense (DOD) aircraft.
detailed below are intended exclusively for use by
aircraft that the FAA has agreed to accommodate.                       2. Flights conducted for aircraft certification
They are not intended to provide other operators a                 and development purposes.
means to circumvent the normal RVSM approval                          3. Active air ambulance flights utilizing a
process.                                                           "MEDEVAC" call sign.
     2. If either the operator or aircraft or both have                 4. Aircraft climbing/descending through
not been authorized to conduct RVSM operations, the                RVSM flight levels (without intermediate level off)
aircraft will be referred to as a "non-RVSM" aircraft.             to/from FLs above RVSM airspace (Policies for these
14 CFR Section 91.180 and Part 91 Appendix G                       flights are detailed in Paragraph 4-6-11, Non-RVSM
enable the FAA to authorize a deviation to operate a               Aircraft Requesting Climb to and Descent from
non-RVSM aircraft in RVSM airspace.                                Flight Levels Above RVSM Airspace Without
    3. Non-RVSM aircraft flights will be handled                   Intermediate Level Off.
on a workload permitting basis. The vertical                            5. Foreign State (government) aircraft.
separation standard applied between aircraft not
approved for RVSM and all other aircraft must be                     c. Methods for operators of non-RVSM aircraft to
2,000 feet.                                                        request access to RVSM Airspace. Operators may:
    4. Required Pilot Calls. The pilot of non-                          1. LOA/MOU. Enter into a Letter of Agree-
RVSM aircraft will inform the controller of the lack               ment (LOA)/Memorandum of Understanding
of RVSM approval in accordance with the direction                  (MOU) with the RVSM facility (the Air Traffic
provided in Paragraph 4-6-8, Pilot/Controller                      facility that provides air traffic services in RVSM
Phraseology.                                                       airspace). Operators must comply with LOA/MOU.




Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the                               4-6-9
Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR