4-6-10 Procedures for Accommodation of Non-RVSM Aircraft
AIM Chapter 4. Air Traffic Control — Section 4-6, Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR
Official text — AIM 4-6-10
AIM — FAA OPERATIONAL GUIDANCEa. General Policies for Accommodation of Non-RVSM Aircraft
1. The RVSM mandate calls for only RVSM authorized aircraft/operators to fly in designated RVSM airspace with limited exceptions. The policies detailed below are intended exclusively for use by aircraft that the FAA has agreed to accommodate. They are not intended to provide other operators a means to circumvent the normal RVSM approval process.
2. If the operator is not authorized or the aircraft is not RVSM-compliant, the aircraft will be referred to as a “non-RVSM” aircraft. 14 CFR section 91.180 and part 91, Appendix G, enable the FAA to authorize a deviation to operate a non-RVSM aircraft in RVSM airspace.
3. Non-RVSM aircraft flights will be handled on a workload permitting basis. The vertical separation standard applied between aircraft not approved for RVSM and all other aircraft must be 2,000 feet.
4. Required Pilot Calls. The pilot of non-RVSM aircraft will inform the controller of the lack of RVSM approval in accordance with the direction provided in paragraph 4-6-8, Pilot/Controller Phraseology.
b. Categories of Non-RVSM Aircraft that may be Accommodated
Subject to FAA approval and clearance, the following categories of non-RVSM aircraft may operate in domestic U.S. RVSM airspace provided they have an operational transponder.
1. Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft.
2. Flights conducted for aircraft certification and development purposes.
3. Active air ambulance flights utilizing a “MEDEVAC” call sign.
4. Aircraft climbing/descending through RVSM flight levels (without intermediate level off) to/from FLs above RVSM airspace (Policies for these flights are detailed in paragraph 4-6-11, Non-RVSM Aircraft Requesting Climb to and Descent from Flight Levels Above RVSM Airspace Without Intermediate Level Off.
5. Foreign State (government) aircraft.
c. Methods for operators of non-RVSM aircraft to request access to RVSM Airspace. Operators may:
1. LOA/MOU. Enter into a Letter of Agreement (LOA)/Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the RVSM facility (the Air Traffic facility that provides air traffic services in RVSM airspace). Operators must comply with LOA/MOU.
2. File-and-Fly. File a flight plan to notify the FAA of their intention to request access to RVSM airspace.
NOTE— Priority for access to RVSM airspace will be afforded to RVSM compliant aircraft, then File-and-Fly flights.
Reproduced from the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (Basic (with Change 3)). The AIM is FAA guidance, not regulation. Verify against the official source before relying on it operationally.
Is this a regulation?
No — this is FAA guidance, not a regulation.
Aeronautical Information Manual. FAA operational guidance and recommended practices. The AIM is not regulatory, although it often explains how to comply with regulations.