Section 20. Traffic Management (TM) Support of Non-Reduced Vertical
Separation Minima (RVSM) Aircraft
17-20-1. PURPOSE
This section
prescribes policies and guidelines for Traffic Management (TM) support of
Non-Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) Aircraft.
17-20-2. POLICY
In accordance with 14
CFR Section 91.180, domestic RVSM airspace (FL 290-410) is exclusionary
airspace. With only limited exceptions, all operators and individual
aircraft must have received RVSM authorization from the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) to operate at RVSM altitudes. If an aircraft or its
operator has not been authorized for RVSM operation, the aircraft is
referred to as a "non-RVSM" aircraft. Excepted non-RVSM aircraft are granted
access to RVSM altitudes on a workload permitting basis. Priority in RVSM
airspace is afforded to RVSM compliant flights, then file-and-fly flights.
17-20-3. DEFINITIONS
a.
File-and-Fly. Operators of excepted non-RVSM flights requesting access to or
through RVSM airspace will file a flight plan. This flight plan serves as
the notification to the FAA of the operator's intent to request access to or
through RVSM airspace.
b. STORM
Flight. A non-RVSM exception designated by the Department of Defense (DOD)
for special consideration via the DOD Priority Mission website.
c. Entry
Facility. Facility where an aircraft penetrates RVSM airspace designated for
U.S. air traffic control.
d. RVSM
Facility. Air Traffic facility that provides air traffic services in RVSM
airspace.
17-20-4. EXCEPTED
FLIGHTS
Under the authority
granted in 14 CFR Section 91.180, the Administrator has determined that the
following groups of non-RVSM aircraft may enter RVSM airspace subject to FAA
approval and clearance:
a. Department
of Defense aircraft;
b. Foreign
State (government) aircraft;
c. Active air
ambulance utilizing "Lifeguard" call sign;
d. Flights
conducted for aircraft certification and development flights for RVSM.
17-20-5. OPERATOR
ACCESS OPTIONS
Operators of excepted
non-RVSM aircraft requesting access to DRVSM airspace have the following
options available to them:
a. Letter of
Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding (LOA/MOU). Comply with a LOA/MOU for
operations within a single or adjacent RVSM facility.
b.
File-and-Fly. File a flight plan and make the initial request to access RVSM
airspace by requesting an ATC clearance.
NOTE-
Non-RVSM aircraft not listed under excepted flights may climb/descend
through RVSM airspace without leveling off, subject to FAA approval and
clearance.
c. DOD. Enter
STORM flights on the DOD Priority Mission website. For STORM flights that
are within 60 minutes of departure notify the departure RVSM facility via
telephone, in addition to entering the flight into the DOD Priority Mission
website.
NOTE-
Special consideration will be afforded a STORM flight; however,
accommodation of any non-RVSM exception flight is workload permitting.
17-20-6. DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
Traffic Management
Units (TMU) in facilities with RVSM airspace must:
a. Monitor,
assess, and act on the information in the Traffic Situation Display (TSD) to
evaluate the facility's ability to manage non-RVSM aircraft;
b. Coordinate calls from DOD operators of STORM flights that will depart
within 60 minutes, with the appropriate area
supervisor/controller-in-charge. Obtain and coordinate the following
information:
1. Call sign.
2. Origination
point.
3. Proposed
departure time.
4. Number of
aircraft in formation, when applicable.
c. For a non-RVSM
exception flight inbound to the U.S., the TMU at the entry facility receives
the request for access to RVSM airspace directly from an international point
of contact (POC). The TMU must coordinate the information received from the
international POC with the appropriate operational
supervisor/controller-in-charge in a timely manner.
|