App 91 G
App 91 G
App 91 G
APPENDIX G
Operations in Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Airspace
91.ag.1 Definitions
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Airspace. Within RVSM airspace,
air traffic control (ATC) separates aircraft by a minimum of 1,000 feet vertically between
flight level (FL) 290 and FL 410 inclusive. RVSM airspace is special qualification
airspace; the operator and the aircraft used by the operator must be approved by the
ECAA. Air-traffic control notifies operators of RVSM by providing route-planning
information
RVSM group aircraft. Aircraft within a group of aircraft, approved as a group by the
ECAA, in which each of the aircraft satisfy each of the following:
(a) The aircraft have been manufactured to the same design, and have been approved
under the same type certificate, amended type certificate, or supplemental type
certificate.
(b) The static system of each aircraft is installed in a manner and position that is the same
as those of the other aircraft in the group. The same static source error correction is
incorporated in each aircraft of the group.
(c) The avionics units installed in each aircraft to meet the minimum RVSM equipment
requirements of this appendix are:
(1) Manufactured to the same manufacturer specification and have the same Part
number; or
(2) Of a different manufacturer or Part number, if the applicant demonstrates that the
equipment provides equivalent system performance as prescribed in EAC91-9.
RVSM nongroup aircraft. An aircraft that is approved for RVSM operations as an
individual aircraft.
RVSM flight envelope. An RVSM flight envelope includes the range of Mach
number, weight divided by atmospheric pressure ratio, and altitudes over which an
aircraft is approved to be operated in cruising flight within RVSM airspace. RVSM flight
envelopes are defined as follows:
(a) The full RVSM flight envelope is bounded as follows:
(1) The altitude flight envelope extends from FL 290 upward to the lowest altitude of
the following:
(i) FL 410 (the RVSM altitude limit);
(ii) The maximum certificated altitude for the aircraft; or
(iii) The altitude limited by cruise thrust, buffet, or other flight limitations.
(2) The airspeed flight envelope extends:
(i) From the airspeed of the slats/flaps-up maximum endurance (holding)
airspeed, or the maneuvering airspeed, whichever is lower;
(ii) To the maximum operating airspeed (Vmo/Mmo), or airspeed limited by
cruise thrust buffet, or other flight limitations, whichever is lower.
(3) All permissible gross weights within the flight envelopes defined in paragraphs (1)
and (2) of this definition.
(b) The basic RVSM flight envelope is the same as the full RVSM flight envelope except
that the airspeed flight envelope extends:
(1) From the airspeed of the slats/flaps-up maximum endurance (holding) airspeed,
or the maneuver airspeed, whichever is lower;
(2) To the upper Mach/airspeed boundary defined for the full RVSM flight envelope,
or a specified lower value not less than the long-range cruise Mach number plus
0.04 Mach, unless further limited by available cruise thrust, buffet, or other flight
limitations.