Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Canadian Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Airspace

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circular (CBAAC) is to inform air operators and private operators of the planned implementation of a Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) within Canadian domestic airspace with a target date of April 18, 2002. The proposed Canadian RVSM airspace will extend from approximately 57°N latitude to the North Pole, with vertical limits from Flight Level (FL) 290 to FL 410 inclusive.

For Canadian private operators and air operators, Transport Canada (TC) provides the authorization for operations within RVSM airspace by an Operations Specification (Ops Spec) to their Air Operator Certificate. Canadian operators who already have RVSM authorization for operations in the North Atlantic and/or Pacific meet the technical height-keeping requirements for Canadian RVSM airspace. However, there are other Canadian operators who do not yet have RVSM authorization from TC. Authorization from TC is required prior to the April 18, 2002 implementation date, or they will be excluded from operations within Canadian RVSM airspace.

The process for obtaining an RVSM Operations Specification is outlined in this CBAAC.

APPLICABILITY

The information in this CBAAC applies to Canadian air operators and private operators holding an Air Operator Certificate issued under Part VII or a Private Operator Certificate issued under Part VI, Subpart 4 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) seeking authority to operate in Canadian RVSM airspace.

REFERENCES

The following references provide additional guidance and advisory material on operations in RVSM airspace:

1. Sections 624.06, 721.08, 722.08, 723.08, 724.08 and 725.08 (Contents of a Private or Air Operator Certificate – Navigation System Authorizations) of the CARs.
     
2. Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) Canada, section Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Services (RAC).
     
3. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) DOC 9574-AN934, Manual on the Implementation of a 300 m (1000 ft) Vertical Separation Minimum Between FL 290 and FL 410 Inclusive.
     
4. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) NAT DOC 002, Guidance Material on the Implementation of a 300 m (1000 ft) Vertical Separation Minimum (VSM) in the MNPS Airspace of the North Atlantic Region. (This information will be incorporated into ICAO NAT DOC 001 in the near future).
     
5. North Atlantic MNPS Airspace Operations Manual (9th Edition).
     
6. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular (AC) 91-RVSM Change 1.
     
7. Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) Temporary Guidance Leaflet (TGL) No. 6 - Revision 1.
     
8. ICAO Regional Supplementary Procedures (Doc 7030).

BACKGROUND

All operators intending to operate within RVSM airspace are required to be equipped with altimetry and height-keeping systems, which meet RVSM Minimum Aircraft System Performance Specifications and which require special authorization from the State of Registry of the aircraft, or the State of the Operator prior to operating within this airspace. Operators without this authorization are excluded from flying within RVSM airspace.

In the late 1970s, faced with rising fuel costs and growing demands for a more efficient use of the available airspace, ICAO initiated a comprehensive project of studies to examine the feasibility of reducing the 2000 ft Vertical Separation Minimum (VSM) applied above FL 290, to the 1000 ft VSM as used below FL 290. Studies conducted in the 1980s demonstrated that this concept was safe and feasible. RVSM was implemented in the North Atlantic (NAT) Region in a phased approach, commencing in March 1997. RVSM was implemented in certain portions of the Pacific Region (PAC) on February 24, 2000. In conjunction with the implementation of RVSM in the NAT and PAC, two RVSM transition areas were established in Canadian Domestic Airspace. RVSM is scheduled for implementation in the West Atlantic Route System (WATRS) on November 1, 2001, in the European Region on January 24, 2002, the Western Pacific/South China Sea in February 2002, the Mid East Region in 2003 and Domestic USA in 2004/05.

Extensive use is being made of the northern part of Canadian Domestic Airspace for long range flights following great circle routes. The reduction to the vertical separation between these aircraft allows for significant benefits in fuel economies and increased enroute airspace capacity. RVSM in northern Canadian Domestic Airspace is planned for implementation on April 18, 2002.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT

The process for obtaining authorization to operate in RVSM airspace requires coordination between the operator, Transport Canada's Civil Aviation Principal Operations Inspector (POI), the operator's TC Regional Airworthiness office and TC Operational Standards (AARXB).

1. Each individual aircraft shall meet the airworthiness standard with modifications and/or maintenance procedures established by the manufacturer for RVSM operations. TC inspectors shall ensure the RVSM service bulletins have been reviewed and the amendments to the limitations section in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) have been approved by TC Aircraft Certification (AARD). Refer to the appropriate Airworthiness Notices (ANs) and Aircraft Certification Policy Letters (ACPL) for more information. ACPL 56 in particular refers to RVSM airworthiness approval. Amendments to an operator's maintenance program shall address the required verification/maintenance of RVSM performance and be approved by the Minister.
     
2. The operator's training program, operating practices and procedures, including operational control, shall be amended to include items necessary for safe operations in a reduced vertical separation minimum environment and be approved by the Minister.
     
3. Once the aircraft has met the airworthiness standard for RVSM operations, the operator shall take part in the RVSM Height Monitoring Program. Depending on aircraft type, the initial requirement for the height monitoring program can follow RVSM authorization.
     
4. Once these steps have been completed, the Minister will issue an Ops Spec authorizing the operation of specified aircraft in RVSM airspace.

RVSM SERVICE BULLETINS

Both operators and TC inspectors shall be familiar with the AFM amendments and service bulletins for the aircraft types for which an operator is seeking authorization for RVSM operations. These AFM amendments and service bulletins are issued by aircraft manufacturers and describe the requirements that must be fulfilled for RVSM authorization on a particular type. The AFM amendments may contain operational restrictions such as maximum or minimum airspeed/mach during flight in RVSM airspace, use of air data computers/transponders, or a maximum operating altitude or weight. Any operational restrictions should be adequately addressed in the Operations Manual, Training Programs, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs) and related documentation. POIs will consult with the TC Regional Airworthiness office which oversees the operator's maintenance program to confirm that the RVSM service bulletins has been complied with, and obtain the date of compliance.

In addition, POIs will confirm that the manufacturer's AFM amendment has been approved for use in Canada by TC Aircraft Certification (AARD) before granting an operator RVSM authorization.

RVSM HEIGHT MONITORING PROGRAM

Height monitoring is required prior to RVSM authorization where the regional monitoring agency has insufficient data on the aircraft type or for a new aircraft type produced by a manufacturer without a demonstrable track record of production of Minimum Aircraft System Performance Specifications compliant airframes. Height monitoring is not required prior to RVSM authorization once the monitoring agency has observed a sufficient percentage of the world's fleet of a particular type, with satisfactory results. The monitoring requirement for individual operators is reduced to 10 per cent of the particular type or two aircraft (whichever is greater). Operational authorization can be granted prior to height monitoring, provided the aircraft is in the category that has had sufficient height monitoring data previously collected. In this case, height monitoring is required not later than six months after issue of RVSM authorization. Height monitoring methods are described in the AIP RAC.

1. State of Registry of the aircraft (i.e. Canada);
2. Operator (i.e. Air Canada);
3. State of Operator (i.e. Canada);
4. Aircraft type (ICAO Aircraft Type designation i.e. A310);
5. Aircraft mark/series (i.e. - 300);
6. Manufacturer's serial/construction number;
7. Registration (i.e. C-FXXX);
8. Aircraft mode S address code in hexadecimal format (i.e. C01234A);
9. Date aircraft SB completed;
10. Date Airworthiness Approval issued;
11. Date of Airborne Flight Monitor (this may be sent later depending on the requirement due to aircraft type or if required); and
12. Date of RVSM Approval (i.e. Ops Spec) issued.

AARXB will add the information to the Canadian RVSM database, and inform the regional monitoring agencies.

Approval of training program operating practices and procedures

The operator's Operations Manual, SOPs, MELs, as well as the associated manuals, documents and checklists, shall reflect the operating procedures that comply with the area of operation, and shall reflect items discussed in regional documents such as NAT DOC 002, Part 5 "Flight Crew Operating Procedures", and Appendix 1 of NAT DOC 002 (NAT DOC 001 once this information incorporated into it), "FAA Advisory Circular 91-RVSM Interim Guidance Material on the approval of Operators/Aircraft for RVSM Operations". The interim guidance was written by the FAA and then adopted by ICAO for the use of all Member States in their authorization programs. Appendix 4 contains information on training programs and operating practices and procedures. RVSM exclusionary airspace is being introduced into several regions other than Canada. The technical height-keeping requirements of these areas remain essentially the same. It is intended that an RVSM approval in one area will provide RVSM technical height-keeping approval to operate at RVSM altitudes within the RVSM areas. This does not necessarily provide approval to fly in that airspace if other conditions must be met (e.g. NAT-MNPS or RNP-10). The Pilot in Command (PIC) is responsible for the operation of the aircraft and must therefore comply with the policies and procedures applicable to each area of operations.

The list below is intended to show those subjects on which an operator must be informed prior to conducting flight in a new area of operations:

1. Floor, ceiling and horizontal boundaries of RVSM airspace; (note: for example at the time of publishing this CBAAC, the Pacific RVSM approval is required between FLs 290-390 while in the NAT, RVSM approval is required for altitudes between FLs 310-390 inclusive);
     
2. Policy on exclusion of aircraft not RVSM approved;
     
3. Pilot procedures:
   
   
   1. special procedures for in-flight contingencies;
   2. weather deviation procedures;
   3. track offset procedures for wake turbulence and nuisance aircraft system alerts;
   4. pilot level-off call;
        
4. Procedures for flight of non-RVSM approved aircraft for maintenance, humanitarian and delivery flights.

There is a requirement for an operator's training program to address Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) operations in RVSM airspace and time keeping procedures. These two topics are covered in the AIP Canada and the "North Atlantic MNPS Airspace Operations Manual (9th Edition)". Operators shall include these topics in their Operations Manual, training programs, SOPs, MELs, as well as associated manuals, documents and checklists.

REFERENCE DOCUMENT FOR AREA SPECIFIC POLICY/PROCEDURES

1. Pacific
   
   
   1. paper entitled "Pacific RVSM: Operational Policy/Procedures" is published on the FAA RVSM website "RVSM Documentation, Pacific" section. The paper discusses the content of an FAA Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on the subject, as well a Pacific State AIP providing policy/procedures. This website can be found at the following address: http://www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm_documentation.htm,
   2. Regional ICAO Procedures for the Pacific is contained in ICAO Doc 7030/4, Regional Supplementary procedures;
        
2. North Atlantic
   
   
   1. North Atlantic MNPS Manual (9th edition) can be downloaded from the North Atlantic Programme Coordination Office (NAT PCO) website at the following address: www.nat-pco.org,
   2. AIP Canada RAC,
   3. FAA Domestic/International NOTAM Book can be downloaded from the following address: www.faa.gov/NTAP;
        
3. West Atlantic Route System (WATRS). This is under development and will be published on the FAA RVSM website at the following address: www.faa.gov/ats/ato/watrs.htm;
     
4. Canada. This is under development and will be published in AIP Canada;
     
5. Europe: http://www.ecacnav.com/rvsm/default.htm
   
   
   1. Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) Temporary Guidance Leaflet (TGL) No 6 Revision 1 can be downloaded from the European RVSM website at the following address: http://www.ecacnav.com/rvsm/library.htm.
   2. ICAO Doc 7030/4 Regional Supplementary Procedures.

OPERATIONS SPECIFICATION (OPS SPEC) FOR OPERATIONS IN RVSM AIRSPACE

Before issuing an Ops Spec, POIs will confirm that both the operator's maintenance and operational programs have been approved for RVSM. The RVSM Ops Spec shall identify the aircraft types and the individual aircraft by registration. Immediately after the issue of an Ops Spec, the registration of each aircraft and the date of the authorization shall be sent to AARXB to update the Canadian RVSM database. Information from the Canadian RVSM database is forwarded to the regional monitoring agencies.

CONCLUSION

For additional information on RVSM authorization, contact Commercial and Business Aviation, Operational Standards (AARXB), (613) 990-2600.

M.R. Preuss
Director
Commercial & Business Aviation