REDUCED VERTICAL SEPARATION MINIMUM - RVSM

1. Introduction
Due to the reduction in pressure-sensing accuracy of barometric altimeters with increasing altitude, there
was a need above a certain flight level (FL) to increase the prescribed vertical separation minimum (VSM)
of 300 m (1 000ft).

In 1966, an increased VSM of 600 m (2000ft) was established above FL 290 on a global basis.
ICAO provisions stated that a reduced VSM could be applied under specified conditions within designated
portions of airspace on the basis of regional air navigation agreement.

In 1982, ICAO and worldwide navigation offices started a study about the feasibility of a reduction of the
Vertical Separation Minima (VSM) above FL290 from 2000 feet to 1000 feet.

The principal benefits of the reduced VSM were:

 A theoretical doubling of the airspace capacity above FL290
 The opportunity for aircraft to operate closer to the optimum flight level (fuel economy)
2. Definition
Vertical separation minimum named VSM in airspace is:

 300m or 1000ft below FL 290

 600m or 2000ft above FL 290

Except where, on the basis of regional agreement, a value of less than 600 m (2000ft) but not less than
300m (1000 ft) is prescribed for use by aircraft operating above FL290 within designated portions of the
airspace.

FL330

2000ft
FL310

2000ft
FL290

1000ft FL280

1000ft FL270

1000ft FL260

Reduced vertical separation minimum - RVSM Version 1.2 21 November 2015 Page 1

© IVAO HQ training department Training Documentation Manager Erwan L’hotellier

This manual is dedicated only for IVAOTM Network activities. This document must not be used in real aviation or in other networks
The reduced vertical separation minimum named RVSM is the reduction of the vertical separation minimum
to 300m or 1000ft between FL290 and FL410:

 300m or 1000ft below FL410

 600m or 2000ft above FL410

Flight crew indicates RVSM approval by filing a “W” in field 10 of the ICAO model flight plan.

FL450
0
2000ft
FL430

2000ft
FL410

1000ft FL400

1000ft FL390

1000ft FL380

3. Regulation

3.1. Implementation

An aircraft shall not fly on an altitude based on the reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) unless
that minimum is approved by the national regulation in the flied airspace (RVSM Approval).

Between 1997 and 2005, RVSM was implemented in all of Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia, North
America, South America, and over the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans.
After 2011, near all worldwide airspace has chosen RVSM including China, Russia and Africa.

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© IVAO HQ training department Training Documentation Manager Erwan L’hotellier

This manual is dedicated only for IVAOTM Network activities. This document must not be used in real aviation or in other networks
 3.2. Aircraft restrictions

An operator shall ensure that aeroplanes operated in RVSM airspace are equipped with:
 Two independent altitude measurement systems (altimeter)
 An altitude alerting system (GPWS)
 An automatic altitude control system
 A secondary surveillance radar (SSR) transponder with altitude reporting system that can be
connected to the altitude measurement system in use for altitude keeping

3.3. Separation in RVSM airspace

Within RVSM airspace (between FL290 and FL410 inclusive), the vertical separation minimum is 1000ft
(300m) between RVSM-approved aircraft.

1000ft minimum RVSM approved

RVSM approved

But, in this world we also have some non-RVSM approved aircraft. These aircraft can be state aircraft,
military aircraft, vintage aircraft (DC6, DC7, B707).

Within RVSM airspace, the vertical separation minimum is 2000ft (600m) between non-RVSM approved
state aircraft and any other aircraft operating within RVSM airspace.

Within RVSM airspace, the vertical separation minimum is 2000ft (600m) between non-RVSM aircraft
operating as general air traffic (GAT) and any other aircraft operating within RVSM airspace.

2000ft minimum
RVSM approved

NON-RVSM
approved

There is no exemption for state aircraft to operate as GAT within RVSM airspace with a 1000 ft vertical
separation minimum without an RVSM approval.

State aircraft which are exempted from having to meet the RVSM Minimum Aircraft System Performance
Specification (MASPS) shall request special handling by filling “STS/NONRVSM” in Field 18 of the ICAO
flight plan.

Formation flights are to be considered non-RVSM compliant and are not permitted within RVSM airspace
with a 1000 ft vertical separation minimum.

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© IVAO HQ training department Training Documentation Manager Erwan L’hotellier

This manual is dedicated only for IVAOTM Network activities. This document must not be used in real aviation or in other networks
4. Approval for RVSM Operations

Flight crew shall indicate RVSM approval flight by filing a “W” in field 10 of the ICAO model flight plan
(equipment)

It is a violation of ICAO procedures for a non-approved aircraft to file a W.

An important element of the certification process is the confirmation of the aircraft height keeping
performance across the entire operational flight envelope. Flight crews must be trained in appropriate
procedures in RVSM airspace.

The flight envelope covers all combinations of speed, altitude and weight/atmospheric pressure ratio that
the aircraft would expect to operate across in RVSM airspace.

5. Contingency procedures when unable to maintain RVSM

The pilots shall notify ATC of any equipment failure, weather hazards such as severe turbulence etc., which
may affect the ability to maintain the cleared level or the RVSM requirements.

When an aircraft operating in RVSM Airspace encounters severe turbulence due to weather or wake vortex
which the pilot believes will impact the aircraft’s capability to maintain its cleared flight level, the pilot shall
inform ATC. ATC is required to establish either an appropriate horizontal separation minimum, or an
increased vertical separation minimum of 2000ft.

Where a meteorological forecast is predicting severe turbulence within the RVSM Airspace, ATC shall
determine whether RVSM should be suspended, and, if so, the period of time, and specific flight level(s)
and/or area.

When notified by ATC of an assigned altitude deviation of more than 300ft (90 m), the pilot shall take action
to return to the cleared level as quickly as possible.

6. RVSM related phraseology

Event Phraseology
ATC wishes to determine the RVSM status of a flight CONFIRM RVSM APPROVED
Pilot response in case that the flight is RVSM approved AFFIRM RVSM
Pilot response in case that the flight is not RVSM approved NEGATIVE RVSM
Pilot of State aircraft responding that the flight is not RVSM approved NEGATIVE RVSM STATE
AIRCRAFT
ATC refuses to issue a clearance into RVSM Airspace UNABLE CLEARANCE INTO
RVSM AIRSPACE
Pilot reporting severe turbulence / weather affecting ability to maintain UNABLE RVSM DUE
RVSM height keeping requirements TURBULENCE
Pilot reporting equipment degradation below RVSM requirements UNABLE RVSM DUE
EQUIPMENT
Pilot ready to resume RVSM after equipment/weather contingency READY TO RESUME RVSM

Reduced vertical separation minimum - RVSM Version 1.2 21 November 2015 Page 4

© IVAO HQ training department Training Documentation Manager Erwan L’hotellier

This manual is dedicated only for IVAOTM Network activities. This document must not be used in real aviation or in other networks