RVSM

Technical

Reduced Vertical
Separation Minimums (RVSM)
 RVSM
RVSM Maintenance Recurrent TECHNICAL

Agenda
Introduction
RVSM overview
RVSM airspace
Skin waviness inspection
Aircraft manuals
RVSM maintenance program
Verification/monitoring program
Maintenance requirements by aircraft type
Questions

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 RVSM
Introduction TECHNICAL

Bombardier’s RVSM maintenance recurrent training program

Introduced with the introduction of DRVSM
Provides flexible training solutions to meet operator
requirements
Training may be provided onsite or at
Bombardier Customer Services training facilities
Practical training is available onsite using your aircraft and test
equipment

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 RVSM
RVSM Overview TECHNICAL

Reduced vertical separation

minimums (RVSM) refers to the
reduction of aircraft vertical
separation
Affects FL290 to FL410
Reduces vertical separation from
2000 to 1000 ft
Adds 6 additional flight levels
Introduced in 1997 by the
International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) in the
North Atlantic airspace

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 RVSM
RVSM Overview TECHNICAL

RVSM introduced in the North Atlantic in 1997

NAT
tracks

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 RVSM
RVSM Overview TECHNICAL

Benefits of RVSM?
Greater availability of more fuel-efficient altitudes and operating
efficiency benefits
Enhanced ATC flexibility to manage traffic through an increased
number of available altitudes
Reduce controller workload (e.g., reduce vectoring)
Mitigate conflict points, and enhance sector throughput
Euro-control fuel saving and operation efficiency benefits:
• Fuel savings of 300,000 tons/year
• Fuel CO2 emissions savings 1,000,000 tons/year
• Equivalent of removing 5600 Trans-Atlantic flights/year

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 RVSM
RVSM Airspace TECHNICAL

RVSM Implemented and Planned (as of April 2005)

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 RVSM
RVSM Airspace TECHNICAL

RVSM flight level orientation scheme

Odd flight levels: magnetic course 000 – 179°
Even flight levels: magnetic course 180 – 359°

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 RVSM
Aircraft Manuals TECHNICAL

Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM)

Gives instructions to carry out pitot-static probes and
airframe zone inspections, air data system functional tests
and skin waviness inspections
Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC)
Indicates the parts in the aircraft that are critical to RVSM operations
Time Limits/Maintenance Checks (TLMC)
Identifies which tasks and when they need to be carried out to maintain
the RVSM airworthiness of the aircraft
Structural Repair Manual (SRM)
Describes the standards for inspection of the airframe for contour
deviations, step, gap, and mismatches

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 RVSM
Aircraft Manuals TECHNICAL

Illustrated Tool and Equipment Manual (ITEM)

Lists test equipment and tools needed to carry out RVSM-related
inspections and tests
• Equipment in this list also represents the minimum acceptable
standard if alternate tools and equipment are to be used
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
Provides the official RVSM airworthiness certification reference,
along with any associated limitations
Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL)
Identifies the minimum equipment required for RVSM operations

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 RVSM
RVSM Maintenance Program TECHNICAL

Maintenance program elements

Basic maintenance program
• AMM
Supplemental type certificate
• Completion manuals
Operational requirements
National requirements
• FAA RVSM maintenance program elements are detailed in the
Airworthiness Inspector’s Handbook (FAA Order 8300.10),
Volume 2, Chapter 5
• JAA Temporary Guidance Leaflet (TGL) No. 6

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 RVSM
RVSM Maintenance Program TECHNICAL

RVSM maintenance program should include:

Identification of components considered to be RVSM critical and
structural areas noted as RVSM critical
Name or title of responsible person who will ensure the aircraft
is maintained in accordance with the approved program
Method to ensure all personnel performing maintenance on the
RVSM system are properly trained and qualified on that specific
system
Method to ensure conformance to RVSM maintenance
standards, including use of calibrated and appropriate test
equipment

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 RVSM
RVSM Maintenance Program TECHNICAL

RVSM maintenance program should include (cont):

Method to return aircraft to service after maintenance is
performed on an RVSM component/system
Periodic inspections, maintenance, and inspection procedures
with acceptable maintenance practices
Any other maintenance requirement that needs to be
incorporated to ensure continued compliance with RVSM
requirements

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 RVSM
Verification/Monitoring Program TECHNICAL

As part of RVSM operational approval, it is required to participate in

a height verification and monitoring program
To meet this requirement, it is necessary to either over-fly an
Aircraft Geometric Height Measurement Element (AGHME), or fly
with a GPS monitoring (GMU), or in Europe, over-fly a Height
Monitoring Unit (HMU)
In North America, a ground based Aircraft Geometric Height
Monitoring Element (AGHME) system has been positioned at fixed
locations

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 RVSM
Verification/Monitoring Program TECHNICAL

All RVSM capable aircraft flying within range of an AGHME

are automatically verified
The current status of your aircraft can be verified by checking
the monitoring results at this website:
www.tc.faa.gov/act-500/niaab/rvsm/approvals.asp

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 RVSM
Verification/Monitoring Program TECHNICAL

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 RVSM
Verification/Monitoring Program TECHNICAL

GPS monitoring unit

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 RVSM
Verification/Monitoring Program TECHNICAL

In Europe all RVSM capable aircraft flying within range of an

HMU are automatically verified
For RVSM operations in Europe it is necessary to participate
in the Verification/Monitoring monitoring program every two
years
Current aircraft status can be verified by checking the monitoring
results at this website: www.ecacnav.com/RVSM

European Region – HMU Location

Location Status

Linz, Austria In service

Nattenheim, Germany In service

Geneva, Switzerland In service

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 RVSM
Verification/Monitoring Program TECHNICAL

The HMU located near Strumble (STU) VOR still serves the
North Atlantic Region.
The HMU provides a 13.8 nm radius of horizontal coverage
centered on the site locations.
Strumble is situated at N51o 56’ 00” W004o 40’ 00”.

North Atlantic Region – HMU Location

Location Status

Strumble, UK In service

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 RVSM
Verification/Monitoring Program TECHNICAL

Height monitoring unit

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 RVSM
Maintenance Requirements TECHNICAL

Learjet 45 Learjet 60 Learjet 60XR

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