# Presentation: 277038

## Diane Tyler
FAA/ATP-110 

**FAA/ATP-110 **

- Presentation  5

**ATC Briefing****DRVSM Overview**

## Air Traffic Control

- DRVSM
- DRVSM Program Objectives
- DoD MOU
- Major Milestones
- DRVSM Benefits
- DRVSM Simulations
- NAS Automation Modifications
- ATC Procedural Issues
- ATC Procedures Workgroup

## Air Traffic Control (Continued)

- ATC Training for DRVSM
- Mountain Wave Activity
- System Integration
- Joint Implementation with Canada and Mexico
- Tactical Application of RVSM
- Implementation Requirements

## DRVSM

- Creates six additional altitudes from FL 290 through FL 410 by the reduction of vertical separation from 2000 ft. to 1000 ft.
- Airspace will be exclusionary for DRVSM approved aircraft with the exception of accommodating DoD and Lifeguard aircraft.
- Non-DRVSM approved aircraft may transition through DRVSM airspace.

## DRVSM Program Objectives

- Implement DRVSM from FL290-FL410 in the airspace of the continental United States and the Gulf of Mexico where the FAA provides air traffic services (Houston, Miami Oceanic Flight In formation Regions and Jacksonville Offshore).
- The United States, Canada, and Mexico are planning a joint implementation of RVSM.
- DRVSM  is proposed to be implemented in
- 	December 2004

## Memorandum of UnderstandingFAA and DoD

- Memorandum of Understanding signed between FAA and DoD in December 2001.
- Agreement governs the use of DRVSM Airspace by DoD aircraft.
- Policy: The FAA will accommodate non-compliant DoD aircraft operation within DRVSM airspace.

## Major Milestones

- Kick-off Meeting 			September 2000
- User Meetings			Feb & May 2001
- ATC First Simulation		October 2001
- DoD MOU				December 2001
- Final Simulation Report    	January 2002
- First DRVSM Seminar		April 2002
- Publish NPRM			April 2002
- Second ATC Simulation		June 2002
- Third Simulation			May 2003
- Publish Final Rule			June 2003
- RVSM Implementation		December 2004 (Proposed)

## DRVSM Benefits

**ATC **
- Increased ATC efficiency.
- Decreased workload/less vectoring.
- Reduction in conflict points.
- Reduction in potential for error.

## DRVSM Benefits Continued

**User Benefits:**
- Greater availability of more fuel-efficient altitudes/routes.
- Domestic fleet fuel savings of approximately 2%.

## DRVSM Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) Simulation

- The first HITL simulation was completed in October 2001.
- Objectives:
- Identify impact of DRVSM on en route controller.
- Workload
- Complexity
- Potential for error

## DRVSM Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) Simulation (cont.)

- Compare impact of DRVSM in three altitude bands:
- FL350-FL390
- FL330-FL390
- FL290-FL410
- Comparison of conventional separation to three altitude bands above.
- Identify ATC procedural  implications.
- Results:
- DRVSM from FL290 to FL410 yielded superior results.

## DRVSM Simulation (cont.)

- The Second HITL Simulation was completed in June 2002 and focused on:
- Non-DRVSM Approved Aircraft in DRVSM Airspace
- Non-DRVSM Approved transitioning aircraft
- Outage of DRVSM Equipment
- Tactical use of DRVSM
- Results: Non-DRVSM Approved Aircraft. (transitioning, DoD, Lifeguard) increased workload, complexity and potential for error.

## DRVSM Simulation (cont.)

- The third HITL Simulation scheduled for May 2003 will focus on:
- Assessing and validating proposed DRVSM Procedures.
- Assessment of any remaining areas of concern.

## NAS Automation Modifications

- Automation modifications to the Operational Error Detection Patch (Conflict Alert), to accommodate DRVSM.
- Automation modifications to be made in support of the visual cue for the controller display to enable a ready distinction between RVSM approved and non-RVSM approved aircraft.  *Note:  The visual cue will likely be applied to non-RVSM aircraft because it is anticipated that they will comprise less than 5-10% of the overall fleet now operating at RVSM altitudes.*

## ATC Procedural Issues

- The following items will require new procedures to support DRVSM:
- Accommodation of DoD and Lifeguard aircraft.
- Process to transition non-DRVSM aircraft through DRVSM airspace.
- Process to transition from DRVSM operation to non-DRVSM and back.
- Mountain Wave Activity.

## ATC Procedures Workgroup

- Certified Professional Controllers will participate in an ATC  procedures workgroup in December 2002.
- Workgroup recommendations expected by February 2003.
- Coordination with industry of proposed new/revised procedures through the DCP process.

## Mountain Wave Activity

- A Mountain Wave Activity Workgroup will be convened to assess need for procedures.
- A study is being conducted on Mountain Wave to assess its impact on DRVSM.

## System Integration

- Develop a test and implementation plan.
- Seamless Integration of DRVSM within the NAS
- Coordination with other programs such as URET and airspace redesign, etc.

## Joint Implementation withCanada and Mexico

- Coordinate with Mexico, Canada, and adjacent U.S. facilities for ATC issues relevant to DRVSM implementation.
- Meet with Mexico in October 2002 to begin implementation planning.
- Meet with Canada November 2002 to begin implementation planning.
- Resolve issues between U.S., Mexico and Canada for simultaneous implementation of RVSM.

## Tactical Application of  DRVSM

- Tactical DRVSM has been applied in other countries.
- The second HITL Simulation examined tactical application of DRVSM.
- The results, however, were inconclusive, but it appears that under peak traffic conditions it becomes difficult to use DRVSM tactically.

## Implementation Requirements for DRVSM

- Three Areas:
- ATC Readiness
- User Readiness
- Safety Assessment
- ATC Readiness: Simulations, new/revised ATC  procedures, NAS automation modifications, & ATC training shall be completed prior to implementation.
- .

## Implementation Requirements (cont.)

- User Readiness: Sufficient number of aircraft/operators approved for DRVSM operations
- A Safety Assessment must be completed to insure an acceptable target level of safety exists within the airspace where DRVSM will be applied.

## Conclusion

- FAA committed to successful DRVSM implementation in the National Airspace System.