FAQ Operations.doc Jan 21, 2005

**[Operations FAQ's]{.underline}**

**[Document Organization.]{.underline}** This document is organized
into:

**[Section 1:]{.underline}**

All operators: Operations FAQ's Page 2

**[Section 2:]{.underline}**

Part 91/GA: Operations FAQ's Page 7

**[FAQ Organization.]{.underline}** FAQ's are listed alphabetically by
subject.

**[FAQ Updates.]{.underline}** Updates are highlighted in yellow.

**[DRVSM Explanation:]{.underline}** Domestic U.S. RVSM (DRVSM) refers
to RVSM policy/procedures to be applied in the lower

48 states, Alaska, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic High Offshore Airspace
and the San Juan FIR on January 20, 2005.

[Note:]{.underline} in the northern portion of the San Juan FIR that
adjoins NY Oceanic airspace, oceanic procedures are applied. See the FAQ
on the next page, "Documents Containing DRVSM Operational
Policy/Procedures".

**[Section 1: All Operators: Operations FAQ's]{.underline}**

**[[FAQ (11/10/04): Documents Containing RVSM Operational Policy &
Procedures.]{.underline} What documents contain operational policy and
procedures for the 1/20/05 RVSM implementation?]{.mark}**

Three FAA notices provide operational policy/procedures for airspace
under FAA control where RVSM will be implemented on January 20, 2005.
They are posted in the "Area of Operations Specific Information" section
of the RVSM Documentation Webpage:

1\. [FAA Notice:]{.underline} "**Operational Policy/Procedures For RVSM
in the Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR (as
amended)"**. This notice updates the 5/31/04 DRVSM Operational
Policy/Procedures notice. It contains policy that will be applied in the
airspace listed in the title with the exception of the airspace in the
northern portion of the San Juan FIR where oceanic procedures are
applied.

Note: the FAA notice, "Revised Aircraft Equipment Suffix Table For FAA
Flight Plans (10/25/04)" is incorporated into paragraph d and the
attachment to the "Domestic U.S., Alaska, etc." Notice.

2\. [FAA Notice:]{.underline} **"Gulf of Mexico Airspace: RVSM
Policy/Procedures and Strategic Lateral Offsets (10/27/04)".** The
principle objective of this notice is to provide the Strategic Lateral
Offset Procedure for use in Gulf oceanic airspace.

3\. [FAA Notice:]{.underline} **"Operational Policy & Procedures For the
West Atlantic Route System (WATRS), New York Oceanic FIR, the San Juan
FIR and Atlantic High Offshore Airspace (10/27/04)".** This notice
updates the 7/13/01 WATRS RVSM operational policy/procedures notice. It
provides policy and procedures for [oceanic]{.underline} operations in
the airspace listed in the title and provides the reference for
policy/procedures to be applied in airspace where VHF or UHF
pilot-controller communications is available (i.e., non-oceanic
airspace).

**[FAQ ([11/8/04]{.mark}): Documents: Operational
Policy/Procedures.]{.underline}** **What areas of operational policy are
addressed in the FAA Notice: "[Operational Policy/Procedures For RVSM in
the Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR
(10/27/04)]{.mark}"?**

The following is a list of the major paragraphs in the

Notice:

a\. Applicability and RVSM Mandate: Date/Time and Area

b\. Flight Level Orientation Scheme

c\. Aircraft and Operator Approval Policy/Procedures,

Monitoring and Approvals Databases

d\. Flight Planning Into DRVSM Airspace

e\. Pilot RVSM Operating Practices and Procedures

f\. Guidance on Mountain Wave Activity (MWA) and Severe

Turbulence

g\. Guidance on Wake Turbulence

h\. Pilot/Controller Phraseology

i\. Contingency Actions: Weather Encounters and Aircraft

System Failures

j\. Procedures for Accommodation of Non-RVSM Aircraft

k\. Non-RVSM Aircraft Requesting Climb/Descent Through

> RVSM Flight Levels (Without Intermediate Level off) To/From Flight
> levels Above RVSM Airspace

**[FAQ ([11/9/04]{.mark}): Enroute Failure of RVSM Systems.]{.underline}
Am I expected to exit RVSM airspace if an RVSM required system fails
enroute?**

It depends on the airspace in which you are operating. The operator
should know the policy/procedures for the individual area of operation.
The "[Area of Operations Specific Information]{.underline}" on the RVSM
Documentation Webpage contains policy and procedures for individual
areas of operation including the domestic U.S., Europe and oceanic
airspace.

[The FAA Notice, "Operational Policy/Procedures For RVSM in the Domestic
U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the]{.mark}

[San Juan FIR (as amended)", states that if the aircraft automatic
altitude control system, altitude alerter or all primary altimeters fail
then the pilot will request clearance out of RVSM airspace, unless the
operational situation dictates otherwise. See paragraph "i".]{.mark}

91-RVSM Appendix 5 contains specific procedures for oceanic operations
and gives the pilot options when systems malfunction.

**[FAQ: Enroute Failure of Lateral Navigation System.]{.underline} Does
the failure of aircraft lateral navigation systems (e.g., Inertial
Navigation System (INS) or GPS) affect the**

**RVSM-compliant status of my aircraft?**

No. Lateral navigation system requirements are different from RVSM
vertical navigation requirements.

**[FAQ: Area of Operation Specific Operational
Policy/Procedures.]{.underline} Are operational policy/procedures
different in different areas of operation?**

Yes, they can be. For example, procedures for contingencies such as
engine failure are more complex for oceanic airspace than they are for
continental airspace.

**[FAQ: Area of Operation Specific Operational
Policy/Procedures.]{.underline} Where can operational policy/procedures
for different areas of operation be found (e.g., Europe, Pacific,
Atlantic)?**

"Area of Operations Specific Information" on the RVSM Documentation
Webpage provides operational policy/procedures for individual RVSM areas
of operation.

They include contingency procedures for aircraft system malfunction as
well as weather events.

**[FAQ: Basic/Core Operational Policy/Procedures.]{.underline} Where can
basic/core RVSM operating practices and procedures be found?**

91-RVSM Appendix 4 provides basic/core RVSM operating practices and
procedures. 91-RVSM Appendix 5 provides additional operating procedures
for oceanic airspace.

Appendix 4 has the following major paragraphs:

> 1\. Introduction
>
> 2\. Flight Planning
>
> 3\. Pre-flight Procedures at the aircraft
>
> 4\. Procedures Prior to RVSM airspace entry
>
> 5\. In-flight Procedures
>
> 6\. Post Flight
>
> 7\. Special Emphasis Items for Flight crew Training

**[FAQ(11/9/04): Pilot Training/Knowledge Programs and Flight Operations
Manuals.]{.underline}**

**What are the sources of information and requirements for RVSM pilot
training/knowledge and Flight Operations Manuals/Documents?**

Part 91 Appendix G, Section 3 (Operator Authorization) contains the
basic requirement for operators to develop operations programs for RVSM.

[The major sources of information and guidance on RVSM operations
programs are:]{.underline}

1.   91-RVSM paragraphs 11d(3) and 11d(4) provide basic guidance for
operators developing pilot training/knowledge programs. The paragraphs
identify the following major areas for pilot training/knowledge and
operations manuals:

 

a\. Basic/core RVSM operating practices and procedures found in 91-RVSM,
Appendix 4.  

           

b\. Area of Operations Specific Policy/Procedures. Policy and procedures
unique to specific areas of operation are found on the RVSM
Documentation Webpage in the "Area of Operations Specific Information"
section.

 

c\. Domestic U.S. RVSM Operational Policy. [As discussed on pages 2-3
above, Domestic U.S. RVSM policies and procedures are provided in the
FAA Notice "Operational Policy & Procedures For RVSM in the Domestic
U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR (as
amended)]{.mark}".

d\. Oceanic Policy/Procedures. Specific procedures for oceanic airspace
are found in the "Area of Operations Specific Information" section of
the RVSM Documentation Webpage and in 91-RVSM, Appendix 5. Appendix 5 is
only applicable if the operator plans to operate in oceanic airspace.

e\. Powerpoint Presentation. The "Pilot and Dispatcher Policy and
Procedures" presentation given at FAA DRVSM Seminars is available on the
DRVSM Webpage. Access the DRVSM Webpage from the RVSM Homepage and click
"DRVSM Seminars". Homepage: www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm1.htm

**[FAQ (7/12/04): Weather Encounters in RVSM airspace.]{.underline}
Where can I find guidance on pilot actions when encountering weather in
RVSM airspace?**

The "[Area of Operations Specific Information]{.underline}" section of
the RVSM Documentation Webpage contains guidance for specific areas of
operation.

The FAA Notice discussed on page 2 addresses weather encounters in
Domestic U.S., Alaska, etc. RVSM airspace. It is posted in the North
American Area of Operations section of the FAA RVSM Documentation
Webpage.

The RVSM Documentation Webpage can be accessed through the FAA RVSM
Homepage (www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm1.htm).

91-RVSM, Appendix 5 contains guidance for weather encounters in oceanic
airspace.

**[Section 2: Part 91/GA Operators: Operations FAQ's]{.underline}**

**[FAQ (6/1/04): DRVSM Operational Policy/Procedures.]{.underline} Am I
required to obtain a new LOA since I obtained my LOA prior to the
publication of the FAA Notice containing DRVSM Operational
Policy/Procedures?**

Answer: No, however, Part 91 operators that hold a current LOA must
provide the information to their pilots prior to DRVSM implementation on
January 20, 2005.

A Sample Pilot Bulletin will be posted to the RVSM Documentation Webpage
in November.

**[FAQ: Part 91 Pilot Knowledge Training Requirements.]{.underline} How
can Part 91 RVSM pilot knowledge/training requirements be fulfilled?**

Notice 8700.36, paragraph 8f(1) contains the following guidance:

**Pilot Knowledge.** Inspectors should consider any one of the options
listed below to be an acceptable method for the operator to show the FAA
that pilot knowledge of RVSM policy/procedures is adequate prior to
operating in RVSM airspace. The inspector may:

\(a\) Accept 14 CFR part 142 training center certificates without
further evaluation.

\(b\) Accept certificates documenting completion of a course of
instruction on RVSM policy and procedures.

\(c\) Accept an operator's in-house training program.

\(d\) Evaluate a training course prior to accepting a training
certificate by reviewing the syllabus, attending the course, or
administering a written or oral exam.

**[FAQ: Part 91 Flight Operations Manuals or Documents.]{.underline}**

**How can I document operational policies and procedures?**

Notice 8700.36 paragraph 8f(2) contains the following guidance:

**Operations Manuals.** In accordance with IG 91-RVSM, paragraph 11d(4),
operators must incorporate RVSM operating practices and procedures into
their operations manuals or documents. Any one of the options listed
below may be considered acceptable. The inspector may:

\(a\) Accept an operator's stand-alone RVSM operations manual as part of
the application for RVSM authority after reviewing it for completeness
and correctness.

\(b\) Accept documentation of the operator's RVSM operations
policy/procedures provided as a section of the operator's application
for RVSM authority after reviewing it for completeness and correctness.