# Presentation: 924908

## Program Overview
Feb 4, 2003

- Feb 4, 2003

- Presentation 2

**Domestic U.S. Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (DRVSM)**

## Overview

- Access to Information
- Proposed Program Objectives
- Background and Operational Experience
- Benefits and Costs
- Implementation Date Factors Considered
- Planned Rule Schedule

## Access to Information

- FAA RVSM and DRVSM website:
- _[www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm1.htm](http://www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm1.htm)_
- Shows RVSM program status in airspace worldwide
- “RVSM Documentation” page contains:
- RVSM Approval Checklist
- Documents necessary to RVSM authorization
- Manufacturer contacts
- Listing of RVSM compliance doc’s (e.g., SB, STC)

## NPRM Comments

- NPRM and comments were available for review on DOT docket site:   _[http://dms.dot.gov](http://dms.dot.gov/)_
- 90-day NPRM comment period ended August 8
- Late comments considered if they do not cause delay to rulemaking process

## NPRM comments

- Considering how to proceed on NPRM comments related to San Juan FIR and single RVSM-compliant altimeters for part 91 turbo-props
- If additional comment needed, Supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) may be published

## Planned Rule Schedule

- May 10, 2002....NPRM published
- Aug 8, 2002......formal comment period closed
- Jun 03 timeframe....publish final rule.   Coordinating with other government agencies to publish as soon as possible.

## Program Coordination

- Coordination started with industry in Dec 2000
- FAA/Industry meetings held Feb and May 2001
- High level FAA management visibility through Operational Evolution Plan (OEP) process

## Proposed Program Objectives

- Implement RVSM between FL 290 - 410 in:
- Lower 48 states
- Alaska
- Gulf of Mexico airspace---where FAA provides air traffic services
- Considering San Juan FIR and Florida-San Juan airspace
- Jan 20, 2005 target date---better AIRAC (charting) date than Dec 2004

## NAS Operational Evolution Plan

- www.faa.gov/programs/oep
- DRVSM is para ER-4 in NAS OEP
- Principle Office of Delivery (POD):
- Director, Flight Standards Service AFS-1

## Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum

- 1,000 ft vertical separation applied globally, including domestic US, _**up to FL 290**_ for past 40 years
- Special provisions of RVSM program:   enable reduction of vertical separation from 2,000 ft to
- 	1,000 ft. between _**FL 290 - FL 410 (inclusive)**_

## Major Program Elements

- Aircraft and operators authorized by Administrator or... for 		non-US operators/aircraft, the appropriate foreign authority
- Aircraft altimetry, auto-pilot, altitude alert systems modified to RVSM standards
- RVSM policy/procedures incorporated into controller, pilot and dispatch programs
- Air Traffic systems and programs revised

## Program Elements (cont.)

- _Monitoring:_   in-service aircraft altitude-keeping  observed to confirm performance standards are being met
- Ground and airborne monitoring systems used to independently monitor aircraft performance
- _Safety Analysis:_   based on accepted Collision Risk Modeling practices

## RVSM Mandate

- 	When implemented,** RVSM approval required** for operation in designated airspace, _with limited exceptions_

## RVSM Implemented & PlannedAs of Feb 2003

**February 2002  Implementation****                                                    Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur,      Manila, Phnom Penh, Sanya, Singapore, Taipei**
**October 2002  Implementation****                                                          Hanoi, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Ujung Pandang, Vientiane**

**RVSM Implemented & Planned****As of Feb 2003**

**Pacific**
**2/00**

**Implemented**

**Planned**

**NAT 3/97**

**Mid East**
**    ****11/03**

**Asia/Europe**
**South of Himalayas 11/ 03**

**Canada South**
**1/05**

**Canada North**
**4/02**

- V. 6.8   5-23-02

**WATRS 11/01**

**CAR/SAM**
**      ****2005**

**Europe 1/02**

**EUR/SAM**
**Corridor 1/02**

**Domestic US**
**1/05**

**Pacific**
**2/00**

****Western Pacific**
**South China Sea **
**2/02 **

**Australia**
**    ****11/01**

## Safety and Benefits in Operations

- RVSM has proved safe and beneficial in areas where previously implemented
- Approx 2.5 million RVSM flights
- Approx 9.0 million RVSM flight hours

## FAA Continuity

- FAA specialists have played significant roles in national and international program development and  implementation
- Air Traffic
- Operations
- Certification
- Safety Analysis

## Current RVSM Regulations

- Part 91, Section 91.706:  requires operator and aircraft approval per Appendix G
- Appendix G  (RVSM Operations):   detailed aircraft/operator approval criteria
**Aircraft compliant with Appendix G are eligible for RVSM operations **_**world-wide**_
_**However,**_ operators must adopt operational policy/procedures in each new area of operations

## Aircraft Equipage forRVSM Operations

**!! Aircraft systems listed below **_**must**_** meet  tolerances shown on next slide:**
- Two Independent Altimetry Systems
- One Automatic Altitude Control System
- One Altitude Alert System
- Transponder required by 91.215 for US operations
- ICAO Annex 6 contains standards for transponders

## Equipment Tolerances

**Altitude Alert Threshold:**     _+_300 ft
**Aircraft type certified after January 1, 1997:   ±200 ft**
**Automatic Altitude Control System:**  _+_65 ft about acquired altitude
**Aircraft certified prior to 1/1997:   soft altitude hold +/- 130ft** **allowed**

## TCAS Version 7.0

- Part 91 Appendix G, Section 2 amended in 2001 to read:
- 	“After March 31, 2002, unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, _**if you operate an aircraft that is equipped with TCAS II in RVSM airspace,**_  it must be a TCAS II that meets TSO C-119b (Version 7.0), or a later version.”

## Proposed Rule Changes

**New 91.180:   **add to Sub-part B to make Appendix G applicable in domestic US, Alaska and Gulf of Mexico
- Appendix G Section 8, Designation of Airspace:   list continental US, Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, San Juan FIR in Section 8.
**Effective dates and FL’s not shown in rule language**
- When finalized, will be announced in NOTAMS and AIM

## Proposed Rule Changes

- Revise flight levels listed in 91.159 and 91.179

## Benefits 2004 - 2018

- Adds 6 additional FL’s between 290 - 410
- Fuel Savings and Operating Efficiency Benefits 2005 – 2019:
- $5 billion
- 6/1 benefit/cost ratio
- $359 m. first year savings---2.0% annual increase
- Benefits to air traffic operations:
- ATC Flexibility
- Mitigate conflict points
- Enhance sector throughput
- Reduce controller workload...e.g., reduce vectoring

## Costs 2002 - 2016

- $866 million costs:
- Aircraft/operator approval
- Downtime if work not accomplished during scheduled Mx
- If TCAS II equipped, Version 7.0 upgrade
- Monitoring
- Air traffic system modification and controller training costs
- Cost assessment being updated based on NPRM comments

## Airspace Use by Category

- 88%....commercial flights
- 10%....general aviation flights
- 2%.....military flights

## Implementation Date Factors 

- 4,000 aircraft (30%) already approved
- New airframes now delivered RVSM ready
- Project 90% of _flights_ to be conducted by RVSM approved aircraft by January 2005 timeframe
- $359 m. first year fuel savings _and_ ATM benefits at stake
- Aircraft Engineering Packages available for most aircraft
- Non-group/unique airframe process available

## Date Factors (cont).

- Innovative aircraft engineering solutions available
- Unapproved aircraft have options to:
- Operate at FL 280 and below (fuel burn penalty, but relatively short duration flights)
- If capable, climb through RVSM FL’s to operate at FL 430 and above
- Economic decision for some operators
- Unapproved Life guard and DoD aircraft to be accommodated

## Operator/airframe factors

- Approx 13,300 DRVSM aircraft
- 4,000 (30%) of US registered aircraft now RVSM approved
- 2,300 GA;  1,700 commercial aircraft
- Approx 9,300 aircraft to be brought into compliance
- Key factor is:   90% RVSM compliant aircraft _flights_ projected for 1/2005 timeframe

## Conclusion

- DRVSM is a significant project in the NAS OEP
- Has proven safe and beneficial in other major areas around the world