# Presentation: 769180

## RVSM Aircraft Certification 

- April 15, 2004
- Happy Tax Day!

## Aircraft Certification Actions

- Manufacturers and Approved Design Organizations use part 91 Appendix G and supporting 91-RVSM guidance to:
- Gain Aircraft Certification Office approval of RVSM Data Package containing data and analysis justifying RVSM Airworthiness Approval for group and non-group aircraft
- Gain ACO approval, for in-service aircraft, of SB, SL or STC to be applied by operators to bring aircraft into RVSM compliance (i.e., required inspections and/or modifications)
- Gain ACO approval, for new-build aircraft, of statements of eligibility in Airplane Flight Manual and/or Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS)

## Summary of Aircraft Approval Requirements

- Aircraft may be approved to RVSM requirements as:
- Group aircraft or Non-group aircraft
- Aircraft must meet minimum aircraft equipage requirements of Appendix G and...
- Required aircraft systems must meet Appendix G, Section 2 performance tolerances
- Continued airworthiness instructions must be provided, if found to be necessary

## Multiple Documents 

- In some cases multiple documents are required
- B-757 Example:
- SB 757-53-0074 (Fuselage- Section 43 Skin)
- SB 757-34-0132 (Navigation – Air Data System – ADC Replacement and Wire Changes
- 757-SL-02-016-C (Qualification of 757-200 and 757-22PF Airplanes for RVSM
- Applicable Revisions & Notice of Status Changes
- Operators are responsible for obtaining required documents from aircraft manufacturer or approved design organization and applying them appropriately

## Related Inspector Actions  

- Flight Standards Inspectors will:
- Make a “determination of  aircraft RVSM compliance” and...
- Ensure that Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) are incorporated into operator continued airworthiness programs by reference to applicable ACO approved documents (e.g., SB, SL, STC, AFM, TCDS )

## MONITORING PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS

## Monitoring Objectives

- Ground-based and GPS-based systems estimate Total Vertical Error, Altimetry System Error and Assigned Altitude Deviation
- In accordance with the Regional Monitoring Requirements Charts, each aircraft group used by the operator is sampled
- Monitoring results are used to identify and correct any adverse trends in aircraft altitude-keeping performance
- Monitoring also a major element of safety analysis and collision risk modeling

## Regulation and Guidance

- Part 91 Appendix G, Section 3:  Validation and Demonstration.  “In a manner prescribed by the Administrator, operator must provide evidence that it is capable to operate...”
- 91-RVSM, para 11d(8):   in its application for RVSM authority, operator must provide a plan for participation in the monitoring program

## RVSM Documentation Webpage

- Monitoring Requirements/Procedures Section:
- “Instructions for Using Minimum Monitoring Charts and Procedures from Different Regions”
- Regional requirements vary.   Use requirements chart in region where operator initially intends to operate
- “Monitoring Procedures for US Operators”
- “North American RVSM Minimum Monitoring Requirements” and requirements for other regions
- ICAO group working to harmonize regional requirements

## Monitoring Systems

- “RVSM Monitoring Procedures for U.S. Operators”
- Contact is “US Operator/Aircraft RVSM Monitoring Coordinator”
- GPS-based Monitoring System (GMS).   Operator can arrange to fly portable GPS-based Monitoring Units (GMU)
- Height Monitoring Unit (HMU):  ground-based units in UK, Canada and Europe
- Aircraft Geometric Height Measurement Element (AGHME)
- Starting in Sept 2003, FAA plans to deploy 3-5 ground-based AGHME clusters in the U.S.

## Vertical Error Calculation Process

- <date/time>

- Determine Flight Level (FL) Height

- Determine Aircraft Geometric Height

- Compare Cleared FL to Actual Altitude

- GMU, HMU

- AGHME

- Meteorological Data

- Cleared FL (FIF)

- Mode C Data

- Cleared FL (FIF)

- TVE (Total Vertical Error)

- ASE (Altimetry System Error)

- AAD (Assigned Altitude Deviation)

## Typical GMU Installation

## <footer>

- <date/time>

## Instructions on Monitoring Requirements Chart 

- Participation in an approved monitoring program is required, however, monitoring not required prior to OpSpecs or LOA being issued
- Aircraft must be RVSM compliant prior to monitoring flight
- Monitoring results obtained in one region are valid in other regions
- Trailing Cone data obtained during STC flights counts if aircraft in its RVSM configuration
- Follow-on monitoring for Domestic RVSM will be coordinated after DRVSM implementation

## Conclusion

- RVSM Monitoring is a sampling program
- Provides a quality control check for aircraft type or group performance
- Provides valuable data for safety analysis

## Determination of Aircraft Compliance and Continued Airworthiness Programs

## Regulation, Direction and Guidance 

- 91.706, 91.180 (when published) and part 91 Appendix G, Section 3 provide regulatory basis for:
- Inspector determination of aircraft RVSM compliance
- Approved maintenance program requirements
- 8300.10, Vol 2, Chapter 5 provides instructions for determination of compliance and specific Mx Program elements and policy
- 91-RVSM paragraph 10 provides supporting guidance

## Inspector Guidance

-  FAA Airworthiness Inspector Bulletin FSAW 97-14 has inspector guidance
- FAA Order 8300.10, Airworthiness Inspector’s Handbook
- Vol. 2, Chapter 5 replaces 97-14

## RVSM Documentation Webpage

- Aircraft compliance and Mx documents posted on RVSM Documentation Webpage include:
- Inspector Guidance
- Example Maintenance Manuals
- GA/Business Aviation Aircraft Documents
- Large Transport Aircraft Documents
- FAQs
- RVSM Homepage:  www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm1.htm

## 8300.10:  Determination of Aircraft Compliance

- PAI or PMI makes the determination of aircraft RVSM compliance
- For In-service Aircraft:   ensures that Service Bulletin,  Service Letter, or STC required inspections and/or modifications have been performed and documented
- For In-production/New-production aircraft:   to ensure that
- aircraft is RVSM compliant, looks for statement in Airplane Flight Manual or Type Certificate Data Sheet

## 8300.10:  Determination of Aircraft Compliance

- Inspector lists airframes determined to be RVSM compliant in OpSpecs paragraph D092 or on LOA, as appropriate
- Inspector makes PTRS entry in accordance with inspector guidance
- PTRS codes:  see Inspector Guidance on RVSM Documentation webpage
- FAA Technical Center uses PTRS data to register airframes on “US Operator/Aircraft RVSM Approvals Database”

## Appendix G Regulatory Basis

- Approved RVSM Maintenance program must contain:
- Periodic inspections, functional flight tests, maintenance and inspection procedures, acceptable maintenance practices
- Quality assurance program for test equipment
- Procedures for returning noncompliant aircraft to service

## 8300.10 Mx Program Elements

- The name or title of person responsible for RVSM maintenance control
- Method to ensure personnel performing maintenance are properly trained, qualified, and knowledgeable of specific system
- Ref 91-RVSM, Par. 10f (Mx Training Requirements)
- Aircraft geometric inspection technique
- Test equipment calibration/usage
- Any special documentation or procedures
- Method operator will use to notify crew if aircraft is restricted from RVSM operation

## 8300.10 Mx Program Elements

- Method to ensure conformance to RVSM maintenance standards
- Use of calibrated and appropriate test equipment
- Quality assurance program for continued accuracy and reliability of test equipment
- Ref 91-RVSM 10g (Test Equipment)
- Standards- accuracy, calibration, use
- These requirements may be satisfied through the use of FAA Certified Repair Stations with appropriate programs but remain the responsibility of the operator

## 8300.10 Mx Program Elements

- Method operator will use to return an aircraft to service after maintenance
- Ref 91-RVSM 10e (Mx Practices for Non-compliant Aircraft)
- Periodic inspections, functional flight tests, and maintenance and inspection procedures
- Next two slides show paragraph references in 91-RVSM
- Elements of program may be listed in detail or described by reference to an acceptable program that is identified and controlled by revision or issue number.

## 91-RVSM Mx and Inspection References

- 10b (Mx Program Approval Requirements)
- Include any maintenance requirements defined in approved RVSM Data Package
- 10c (Mx Document Requirements).   Review:
- Maintenance Manuals
- Structural Repair Manuals
- Standard Practices Manuals
- Illustrated Parts Catalogs
- Mx Schedule and MEL

## 91-RVSM Mx and Inspection References

- 10d (Maintenance Practices)
- Equipment maintained IAW manufacturer instructions
- Modification or repair subject to design review
- Maintenance practices in critical area review
- BITE not acceptable for calibration or RTS
- Quick disconnects
- Airframe and static system IAW manufacturer instructions
- Skin waviness
- Existing maintenance requirements

## 8300.10 Mx Program Elements

- Functional Flight Tests
- “The need for functional flight tests may be limited to only after repairs or modifications that are deemed to warrant such testing”

## 8300.10 Mx Program Elements

- The maintenance requirements listed in Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICAs) for any RVSM component or modifications
- Any other maintenance requirement required to ensure continued compliance with RVSM requirements

## 8300.10 Mx Program Policy

-  Operators using the services of FAA part 145 certified repair stations must include provisions to ensure their program requirements are met
- Operators that are not required to have approved **maintenance** programs need only develop and obtain approval of a RVSM maintenance program
- That program must be incorporated into the operator’s AAIP

## 8300.10 Manual Requirements

- For operators under continued airworthiness program, separate RVSM manual or RVSM provisions incorporated into General Maintenance Manual are acceptable/preferred
- Inspection programs (AAIP or manufacturer’s recommended) do not qualify
- For Part 91, 135 (9 or less) and 125 operators, separate approved RVSM Maintenance Manual is acceptable method of documenting program

## 8300.10 Program Approval

- Method of Approval:
- Program elements inserted into an accepted program will have approval indicated for each element or group of elements
- Stand-alone manuals will have cover page statement and succeeding pages stamped or initialed
- Other approval controls may be used
- Ref 91-RVSM Para10a (General)
- Approved maintenance program
- Maintenance facilities

## Conclusion

- 		Continuous airworthiness programs are critical to acceptable aircraft altitude-keeping performance and to the overall safety of RVSM operations

## Conclusion

- Show Example of Maintenance Program
-   Word Document

## Conclusion

- Domestic RVSM is a priority program in the National Airspace System Operational Evolution Plan (NAS OEP)
- Provides significant fuel savings and ATC benefits
- January 20, 2005 is the target date for implementation
- The RVSM Documentation page is intended to be a user friendly source of aircraft and operator approval information

## Conclusion 

- <date/time>

- Conclusion

- June 1, 2003