rvsm handout_12aug 10

RVSM OPERATIONS

Version: 2.0 12 Aug 2010 of 8

RVSM RT – PHRASEOLOGY

CIRCUMSTANCE PHRASEOLOGY

ATC wish to know RVSM status of

flight. CONFIRM RVSM APPROVED

Pilots indication that flight is RVSM

approved. AFFIRM RVSM

Pilots indication that flight is NON

RVSM approved. NEGATIVE RVSM

Pilots of state aircraft indicating that

flight is NON RVSM approved. NEGATIVE RVSM

STATE AIRCRAFT

ATC denial of clearance into RVSM

Airspace.

UNABLE CLEARANCE INTO RVSM

AIRSPACE, MAINTAIN (or DESCEND

TO, or CLIMB TO ) FL …..

Pilots reporting severe turbulence /

weather affecting ability to maintain

RVSM height – keeping requirements. UNABLE RVSM DUE TURBULENCE

Pilots reporting equipments degraded

below RVSM requirements.

UNABLE RVSM DUE EQUIPMENT

ATC requesting pilot to report when

able to resume RVSM REPORT ABLE TO RESUME RVSM

Pilot ready to resume RVSM after

Equipments / weather contingency READY TO RESUME RVSM

FULL RVSM ENVELOPE BOUNDARIES

LOWER BOUNDARY IS

DEFINED BY

UPPER BOUNDARY IS DEFINED

BY

LEVEL . FL290

The lower of :

. FL410

. Aircraft Max certified altitude.

. Altitude limited by cruise thrust,

buffet and other Flight Limitations.

MACH or SPEED

The Lower of :

. Maximum endurance.

(Holding speed)

. Manoeuvre speed

Lower of :

. MMO/VMO

. Speed limited by cruise thrust,

buffet and other Flight Limitations.

Gross Weight

. The Lowest Gross

weight compatible with

operations in RVSM

Airspace.

. The Highest Gross weight

compatible with operation in

RVSM airspace.

RVSM OPERATIONS


TRANSITION :– RVSM/ Non – RVSM

RVSM OPERATIONS


FLIGHT PREPARATION FOR RVSM OPERATIONS

FLIGHT PREPARATION (ON GROUND)

1. Verify airframe is RVSM approved & Capable.

2. Check forecast weather suitable for RVSM.

3. Check PDR for RVSM equipment serviceability.

4. Ensure rectification of snags on RVSM equipment completed.

5. Check that each PFD altitude indication (QNH Reference) is within + 75ft of

airport elevation.

6. Check that the difference between the two primary altitude indications on the

PFDs is less than 20 feet (Reference: FCOM 3.04.34 P6)

7. Check ‘W’ in item 10 of ATC Flt Plan.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT / FUNCTIONS FOR RVSM

1. Two primary altimetry systems (2 ADR + 2 DMC)

2. One automatic altitude-keeping device (1 Autopilot function, 1FCU channel)

3. One altitude-alerting device (2 PFD, 1 FWC)

4. One operating transponder with operational Mode ‘C’ (1 transponder)

5. TCAS

IN FLIGHT PROCEDURES

PRIOR TO RVSM AIRSPACE ENTRY

1. Check RVSM Equipment operating normally.

2. Check Instrument tolerances are within limits as per RVSM monitoring report.

3. Obtain new clearance in case of RVSM equipment failure / out of tolerance.

4. If only TWO ADRs are operative, record altimeter indication on the PFD and

standby altimeter.

WITHIN RVSM AIRSPACE

1. Ensure AUTO pilot is engaged for cruise and flight level changes..

2. Do not overshoot / undershoot by more than 150 feet during cleared transitions

between Flight Levels.

3. Carry out hourly check of ADRs and record in RVSM monitoring report form.

4. Ensure that the transponder and the autopilot are associated with one of the ADRs

which is within tolerance

POST FLIGHT

1. Fill RVSM columns in Flight Sector Report.

2. Submit RVSM monitoring report duly filled in.

Reference : A320 FCOM Vol 2.04.50 P 2.

A330 FCOM Vol 2.04.45 P 3

RVSM OPERATIONS


IN FLIGHT CONTINGENCIES

(Rapid Descent, Turn back, navigation performance

accuracy, Engine Failure and Diversion)

INITIAL PILOT ACTIONS IN CONTINGENCY SITUATIONS

If considered necessary alert nearby aircraft by:

i) Making maximum use of exterior lights if possible.

ii) Broadcasting position, flight level and intentions on the frequency in use,

on 121.5 MHz (as a backup, the VHF inter –pilot air-to-air frequency,

123.45MHz, may be used)

Actions to be taken when controller-pilot communications are established

If unable to continue flight in accordance with ATC clearance, obtain revised

clearance prior to initiating any action using Distress or Urgency signal as

required.

Actions to be taken if revised air traffic control clearance cannot be obtained

If prior clearance cannot be obtained, an ATC clearance shall be obtained at

the earliest possible time and, until a revised clearance is received, the pilot

shall:-

(a) If possible, depart away from ATS route by turning 90˚left / right.(the bank

angle shall be appropriate so that the parallel track is not over shot )

(b) If unable to maintain level, minimize ROD near centre of route.

(c) Alert nearby aircraft using 121.5 / 123.45 Mhz. Watch for conflicting traffic

both visually and by ACAS.

(d) Turn on all exterior lights.

(e) Acquire a track laterally separated by 15 NMs from assigned route, once

established climb or descend to select a flight level which differs from those

normally used by 500 ft.

(f) If the Contingency Procedures are employed by a twin engine aircraft as a

result of an Engine shutdown or failure of an ETOPS critical system, the pilot

should advise ATC as soon as practicable of the situation, reminding ATC of

the type of aircraft involved and request expeditious handling.

WEATHER DEVIATION

Actions to be taken when controller-pilot communications are established

1) To indicate priority for ATC purpose, state ‘Weather Deviation Required’

2) The pilot should notify ATC and request clearance to deviate from track,

advising, when possible, the extent of the deviation expected.

3) ATC will take one of the following actions:

3.1) When appropriate separation can be applied issue clearance to deviate

from track; or

3.2) If there is conflicting traffic and ATC is unable to establish appropriate

separation ATC shall:

i) Advise the pilot of inability to issue clearance for requested deviation

ii) Advise the pilot of conflicting traffic, and

iii) Request the pilot’s intentions

4) The pilot should comply with air traffic control clearance issued.

RVSM OPERATIONS


Actions to be taken if revised air traffic control clearance cannot be obtained

If the aircraft is required to deviate from track to avoid adverse meteorological

conditions and prior clearance cannot be obtained and ATC clearance shall be

obtained at the earliest possible time until an ATC clearance is received the pilot

shall take the following actions:

1) If possible, deviate away from an organized track or route system;

2) Establish communications with and alert nearby aircraft by broadcasting, at

suitable intervals: aircraft identification, flight level, position (including the

ATS route designator or the track code) and intentions, on the frequency in use

and on 121.5MHz (or, as a backup, on the inter-pilot air-to-air frequency

123.45MHz).

3) Watch for conflicting traffic both visually and by reference to ACAS (if

equipped); Note - If, as a result of action taken under the provisions of (ii) and (iii) above, the pilot

determines that there is another aircraft at or near the same flight level with which a

conflict may occur, then the pilot is expected to adjust the path of the aircraft, as

necessary, to avoid conflict.

4) Turn on all aircraft exterior lights (commensurate with appropriate operating

limitations);

5) For deviations of less than 10NM remain at a the level assigned by ATC;

6) For deviation greater than 10 NMs, when aircraft approx. 10NM, initiate level

change as below.

Route Centre

Line Track Deviation > 10 NMs Level change

East Left / Right Descend / Climb 300ft

West Left / Right Climb / Descend 300ft

Note: The ICAO weather deviation procedure is described above and is followed in Indian

Airspace. However, for country specific procedures kindly refer to the regional AIP.

7) When returning to track, be at its assigned flight level, when the aircraft is within

approximately 10NM of the centerline, and

8) If contact was not established prior to deviating, continue attempt to contact ATC to

obtain a clearance. If contact was established, continue to keep ATC advised of

intentions and obtain essential traffic information.

- 300

- 300

+ 300

“SAND”: SOUTH ASCEND NORTH DESCEND

10 NM

10 NM

S

W E

N N

+ 300

RVSM OPERATIONS


RVSM CHINA

FLIGHT LEVEL ALLOCATION SCHEME (FLAS)

China and DPR of Korea RVSM Flight Level Allocation Scheme (FLAS) is based on

Metric Flight Level. ATC will issue the Flight Level clearance in meters, the aircraft

shall be flown using the flight level in FEET. There will be no change in flight level

allocations and operations at 8400m (FL276) or below in non RVSM airspace.

Pilots should be aware that due to the rounding differences, the metric readout of the

onboard avionics will not necessarily correspond to the cleared Flight Level in meters,

however the difference will never be more than 30 meters.

Aircraft equipped with metric and feet altimeters shall use the feet altimeter within

RVSM flight level band. For Table of Flight Level Allocation refer to Jeppesen

CH(H/L) ENROUTE CHARTS.

TRANSITION BETWEEN FLIGHT LEVELS

During cleared transition between levels, the aircraft should not overshoot or

undershoot the assigned FL by more than 45m (150ft).

RVSM OPERATIONS


IN FLIGHT CONTINGENCIES FOR CHINA

CONTINGENCY PROCEDURES FOR WEATHER ENCOUNTERS AND

AIRCRAFT SYSTEM FAILURES

INITIAL PILOT ACTIONS IN CONTINGENCY SITUATIONS

Notify ATC and request assistance as detailed below:

1. Maintain cleared flight level, to the extent possible, while evaluating the

situation;

2. Watch for conflicting traffic using all available means;

3. Alert nearby aircraft by illuminating exterior lights (commensurate with

aircraft limitations);

4. If unable to contact ATC, broadcast position, flight level and intention on

121.5 MHz.

AIRCRAFT REQUIRING RAPID DESCENT

Actions to be taken when controller-pilot communications are

established:

Notify ATC of aircraft location and request FL change as required;

1. Upon declaring an emergency a pilot may exercise his right and change his

assigned flight level.

2. He shall notify ATC immediately and submit a report upon arrival at the

destination;

Actions to be taken if revised air traffic control clearance cannot be

obtained:

1. Deviation procedure for level change: turn 30° right and track out 20

kilometers (i.e. deviate right of airway centerline by 10 km or 5 nm), then, turn

left to track parallel the original route,

2. Then climb or descend to the new level, and then return to the original one

(when appropriate)

NOTE: when returning to the original route, be aware that there

may be conflicting traffic on that route.

3. Establish communications with and alert nearby aircraft by broadcasting, at

suitable intervals: flight identification, flight level, aircraft position and

intention on the frequency in use, as well as on frequency 121.5 MHz (or, as a

backup, the VHF inter-pilot air-to-air frequency 123.45 MHz)

4. Establish visual contact with conflicting traffic;

5. Turn on all aircraft exterior lights (commensurate with appropriate operating

limitations);

RVSM OPERATIONS


References:

1) Jeppesen Air Traffic Control Data- China

2) AIP India ENR-1.9-1

3) Airbus FCOM 2.04.50 and FCOM 3.04.34

rvsm handout_12aug 10

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