# Presentation: 676971

## SEQUENCE OF EVENTS FOR THE RVSM APPROVAL PROCESS

- Presentation 7

**SEQUENCE OF EVENTS FOR THE RVSM APPROVAL PROCESS**

**February 3, 2004**

## Sequence of Events

- Reference Handout:
- RVSM Approval Process Events - US Operators

## Example Operator Applicationfor RVSM Authority

- Published on website **RVSM Documentation** page
- Under “Documents Applicable to All RVSM Approvals”
- Reviewing to enhance, as necessary

## Operational Approval Documents

- For part 121, 125 and 135 operators:
- Operations Specification paragraph B046 (Operations in RVSM Airspace)
- OpSpecs paragraph D092 (Maintenance Program Authorization for Airplanes Used in RVSM Operations)
- For part 91 and part 125 operations under part 91:
- Letter of Authorization issued in accordance with N 8700.23 (8/20/03)

## Sequence of Events for the Operator/Aircraft RVSM Approval Process

- Operator Establishes Need to Obtain Approval to Conduct RVSM Operations
- Operator Contacts Aircraft Manufacturer or Design Organization
- Manufacturer advises operator on availability of RVSM compliance documents (e.g., Service Bulletin, Supplemental Type Certificate)
- Manufacturer advises operator whether aircraft is covered by group approval or is considered as a non-group aircraft

## Sequence of Events for the Operator/Aircraft RVSM Approval Process

- If aircraft manufacturer does not develop RVSM compliance documents or---if operator does not elect to use manufacturer services, then...
- Operator contacts design organization (e.g., Designated Airworthiness Station, Repair Station)
- Note:  see Aircraft Engineering Packages on RVSM website

## Sequence of Events:  Pre-Application Meeting

- Operator contacts the appropriate Flight Standards field office to arrange a pre-application meeting to discuss requirements for approval
- See 91-RVSM paragraph 11c

## Operator Actions 

- Operator obtains appropriate RVSM airworthiness approval document (e.g., SB, STC)
- For In-service Aircraft:
- Operator conducts inspections and/or aircraft modification as identified in airworthiness approval document (e.g., SB, STC)
- If required in RVSM airworthiness document, operator revises continued airworthiness program for aircraft type or group

## Operator Actions (cont.)

- Operator develops RVSM Maintenance program
- Operator develops Pilot and, if applicable, Dispatch  Practices/Procedures.

## Operator Actions (cont.)

- Operational program references:
- 91-RVSM paragraph 11
- Appendix 4
- If applicable, Appendix 5 (Oceanic operations)
- Area of Ops Specific Information on RVSM Docs webpage
_**Notes:**_
- Appendix 4 provides _basic_ RVSM operational policy and procedures
- Publication of DRVSM policy/procedures will be  discussed further in Pilot/Dispatch Policy briefing

## Operator Actions (cont.)

- Operator develops plan for aircraft altitude-keeping performance monitoring
- Options for monitoring will be to over-fly ground based units or to use GPS-based Monitoring Units
- Monitoring completed for other areas of operations  can be used for DRVSM monitoring purposes

## Sequence of Events (cont.)

- Approximately 60 days in advance of start of operations, operator submits its application to AFS field office for operational approval
- “60 days” relates to operational approval package review.
- Operators must plan for time required to bring aircraft into RVSM compliance – e.g., time to develop STC for Non-group aircraft

## Content of Application for Authority(Reference Paragraph 11d)

- 1.  Applicable RVSM Airworthiness Documents
- For In-Service aircraft – SB, SL, STC and maintenance records showing completion of required work
- For New-production aircraft – AFM or Type Certificate Data Sheet
- 2.  Description of aircraft RVSM components and equipment
- 3.  Operator training programs and operating practices and procedures
- See 11d(3)(ii) for Part 91 and Part 125 operators operating under Part 91
- 4.  Operations manuals and checklists
- Part 91 Operations Manual discussed later in this brief

## Application for Authority (cont.)

- 5.  Past performance operating history
- 6.  Minimum Equipment List (MEL) – MMEL Policy Letter GC 59
- 7.  Maintenance program
- Provisions for RVSM Maintenance covered in Continued Airworthiness brief
- 8.  Plans for participation in monitoring programs
- 9. Plans for reporting altitude-keeping errors - Para 11i

## Sequence of Events (cont.) 

- FAA reviews application
- AFS field office registers RVSM approved airframes and operators on U.S. Operator/Aircraft RVSM Approvals Database by....
- Making entries on Program Tracking and Reporting Subsystem (PTRS) or faxing information directly to FAA Technical Center
- !!Use correct PTRS codes – see RVSM Documentation Webpage, Docs Applicable to all RVSM Approvals
- Contact Wayne Smoot at FAA Technical Center for options/questions on database update
- Ph 609-485-5475;  wayne.smoot@faa.gov

## Sequence of Events (cont.)

- If required, FAA observes validation flight
- See 91-RVSM paragraph 11f
- When operator completes appropriate requirements, FAA grants OpSpecs or LOA, as applicable

## New-to-the Operator Areas of Operations

- See “Documents Applicable to All Approvals “
- See “RVSM Area New to the Operator”
- RVSM compliant aircraft are eligible for 	world-wide operations, however...
- Operators must adopt and revise policy and procedures specific to new areas of operation

## Form of Approval for New Area

- For OpSpecs holders, RVSM authority listed in OpSpecs B050 (Authorized Areas of Enroute Operations)
- For part 91 operators, initial authority for RVSM operations provided in Letters of Authorization (LOAs)
- LOAs are _NOT_ issued for individual areas of operation including domestic RVSM

## Operational Issues for New Areaof Operations

- RVSM floor, ceiling and horizontal boundaries
- Policy for exclusion or operation of unapproved aircraft.
- Flight planning policy
- Pilot Procedures:
- In-flight contingencies
- Weather deviation
- Wake turbulence

## New Area Issues (cont.)

- RVSM maintenance procedures at airports in new area
- Monitoring requirements
- RVSM approvals data base

## Early Compliance

- Early aircraft RVSM compliance is desirable
- Part 121,125, 135 aircraft can be listed in D092
- For all aircraft, field offices will log aircraft airworthiness approval on US RVSM Approvals Database through AFS PTRS system or by fax
- For part 91, LOA for DRVSM operations can be issued using
- 	N 8700.23 format.
- Using PTRS, RVSM compliant aircraft can be listed on RVSM Approvals Database
- N8700.23 clarifies LOA actions for DRVSM

## Part 91 Pilot Knowledge and Operations Documents

- Notice 8700.26 paragraph 9f provides FAA inspector guidance
- FAA inspector action is to “accept” pilot knowledge and operations documents

## Options for Part 91 Pilot Knowledge	

- _FAA Inspectors may:_
- Accept part 142 training center certificates without further evaluation
- Accept certificates documenting completion of a course on RVSM policy/procedures
- Accept an operator’s in-house program
- Evaluate a training course prior to accepting a training certificate

## Options for Part 91 Operations Documents or Manuals	

- _FAA Inspectors may:_
- Accept operator stand-alone RVSM operations manual
- Accept documentation of operator’s RVSM operational policies/procedures as a section of the operator’s application for RVSM authority

## Part 129 Non-US Operators

- 129.11 requires operations per ICAO Annex 6 Standards
- International Programs/Policy (AFS-50) updating 8400.10, Chapter 4
- Part 129 OpSpecs content/processing under
- 		AFS Hq discussion
- 129.14 calls for FAA approval of maintenance programs for foreign operators of _**US-registered aircraft used in common carriage**_

## Conclusion

- Forward suggestions to improve RVSM Approvals Checklist to Robert Swain or Roy Grimes