Reduced Vertical Separation Minima

Reduced Vertical Separation Minima

Reduced Vertical Separation Minima or Minimum (RVSM) is an aviation term used to describe the reduction of the standard vertical separation required between aircraft flying at levels between FL290 (29,000 ft.) and FL410 (41,000 ft.) from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet (or between 8,900 metres and 12,500 metres from 600 metres to 300 metres). This therefore increases the number of aircraft that can safely fly in a particular volume of airspace.

Historically, standard vertical separation was 1,000 feet from the surface to FL290, 2,000 feet from FL290 to FL410 and 4,000 feet above this. This was because the accuracy of the pressure altimeter (used to determine altitude) decreases with height. Over time, Air data computers (ADCs) combined with altimeters have become more accurate and autopilots more adept at maintaining a set level, therefore it became apparent that for many modern aircraft, the 2,000 foot separation was too cautious. It was therefore proposed by ICAO that this be reduced to 1,000 feet.

In the US this program was known as the Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (DRVSM).

Contents

Implementation

Between 1997 and 2005 RVSM was implemented in all of Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia and North America, South America, and over the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans. The North Atlantic implemented initially in March 1997 at flight levels 330 through 370. The entire western hemisphere implemented RVSM FL290-FL410 on January 20, 2005. Africa implemented it on September 25, 2008.

Requirements

Only aircraft with specially certified altimeters and autopilots may fly in RVSM airspace, otherwise the aircraft must fly lower or higher than the airspace, or seek special exemption from the requirements. Additionally, aircraft operators (airlines or corporate operators) must receive specific approval from the aircraft's state of registry in order to conduct operations in RVSM airspace. Non RVSM approved aircraft may transit through RVSM airspace provided they are given continuous climb throughout the designated airspace, and 2,000 ft vertical separation is provided at all times between the non-RVSM flight, and all others for the duration of the climb/descent.

"State aircraft", which includes military, customs and police aircraft, are exempted from the requirement to be RVSM approved. Participating states have been requested, however, to adapt their State aircraft for RVSM approval, to the extent possible, and especially those aircraft used for General Air Traffic (GAT).[1]

External links

See also

Notes


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Separación vertical reducida mínima — La Separación vertical reducida mínima (RVSM Reduced Vertical Separation Minima ) es un término usado en aviación para denominar la separación vertical requerida entre dos aeronaves de 1000 pies (300 metros) entre niveles de vuelo FL290 y FL410… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Separation (air traffic control) — In air traffic control, separation is the name for the concept of keeping an aircraft outside a minimum distance from another aircraft to reduce the risk of those aircraft colliding, as well as prevent accidents due to wake turbulence. Air… …   Wikipedia

  • Separación vertical mínima reducida — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda La separación vertical mínima reducida (RVSM Reduced Vertical Separation Minima ) es un término usado en aviación para denominar la separación vertical requerida entre dos aeronaves de 1000 pies (300 metros) entre… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Minimum de séparation verticale réduit — Le Minimum de séparation verticale réduit (en anglais, Reduced Vertical Separation Minima ou RVSM) est une norme d espacement vertical entre aéronefs introduite progressivement entre 1997 et 2005 dans la gestion du trafic aérien. Précédemment,… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Flight level — A Flight Level (FL) is a standard nominal altitude of an aircraft, in hundreds of feet. This altitude is calculated from a world wide fixed pressure datum of 1013.25 hPa (29.921 inHg), the average sea level pressure, and therefore is not… …   Wikipedia

  • Abkürzungen/Luftfahrt/L–R — Dies ist der vierte Teil der Liste Abkürzungen/Luftfahrt. Liste der Abkürzungen Teil 1 A A Teil 2 B–D B; C; D Teil 3 E–K …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Navigation paradox — The Navigation paradox states that increased navigational precision may result in increased collision risk. In the case of ships and aircraft, the advent of Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation has enabled craft to follow navigational paths …   Wikipedia

  • Эшелонирование — Одна из задач службы управления воздушным движением  эшелонирование воздушных судов Эшелонирование  создание инте …   Википедия

  • Position error — is one of the errors affecting the systems in an aircraft for measuring airspeed and altitude. [Kermode, A.C., Mechanics of Flight , 10th Edition – page 65] [”Of these errors the error in detection of static pressure is generally the most serious …   Wikipedia

  • Airports Authority of India — Type PSU Industry Aviation sector Founded 1994 …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”