Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum Operations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is establishing requirements for operations of U.S.-registered aircraft in airspace designated as Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace. RVSM refers to airspace between flight level (FL) 290 and FL 410, with assigned altitudes separated by a minimum of 1,000 feet rather than the 2,000 foot minimum separation currently required above FL 290. The current requirement is based on navigation equipment with a level of accuracy that necessitated a 2,000 foot buffer. Modern navigation equipment permits more precise navigation, including altitude control. These regulations require operators and their aircraft to be approved in accordance with new requirements, in order to operate in RVSM specified airspace. The regulations ensure that operators and their aircraft are properly qualified and equipped to conduct flight operations while separated by 1,000 feet, and ensure that compliance with the RVSM requirements is maintained. This amendment makes more tracks and altitudes available for air traffic control to assign to operators, thus increasing efficiency of operations and air traffic capacity. This action maintains a level of safety equal to or greater than that provided by the current regulations. RVSM will be applied in designated areas, with the first area being certain flight levels in the North Atlantic (NAT) Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS) airspace.