I picked up the document below off the web in late 2003 when TCAS was being fitted to the VC10. At least one of our frames didn't meet the deadline of 1 Jan 2005.
As a general rule of thumb: no TCAS = not allowed in RVSM. Unless the aircraft is being delivered, or a trip to a destination for rectification, then it shoudn't be up there.
Slightly off topic but important neverthelss - as I recall, if you are part of a military formation, some ATC centres in Europe will insist that you have 2000 ft vertical clearance from other traffic (as opposed to RVSM 1000 ft). That could result in some ****ty levels/routing if you're not expecting it!
INFORMATION FOR MILITARY OPERATORS, ON ACAS POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION WITHIN THE AIRSPACE OF THE ECAC STATES
The carriage and operation of ACAS II (TCAS II Version 7 equipment) is mandated in the entire airspace of the ECAC States for all civil turbine-engined aircraft having a maximum certificated take-off mass of more than 15000kg, or maximum approved passenger seating configuration of more than 30 (Phase 1).
Furthermore, the carriage and operation of ACAS II will be mandatory from 1 Jan 2005for all civil turbine-engined aircraft having a maximum ertificated take-off mass of more than 5700kg, or maximum approved passenger seating configuration of more than 19 (Phase 2).
State aircraft are currently exempt from this mandate for the carriage and operation of ACAS II. However, most European military authorities have committed voluntarily to fitting ACAS II, by 1 Jan 2005, to those State transport type aircraft which meet the Phase 1 criteria, and which, had they been civil, would have been required to fit ACAS II.
If an aircraft is civil-registered, but operating under contract to the military, then the civil ACAS II mandate provisions will apply. The category ‘transport-type military aircraft’ is considered to include, additionally, tanker aircraft and may well include other large-sized aircraft. It is not intended that ACAS II equipment is fitted to fast-jet aircraft.
One ECAC State, Germany, has made ACAS II mandatory within its airspace, from 1 Jan 2000, for all aircraft whether civil or military, which meet the Phase 1 criteria, and from 1 Jan 2005 for all aircraft whether civil or military which meet the Phase 2 criteria. Nevertheless, Germany recognises that the European 'norm' for carriage of ACAS II by military aircraft is currently a voluntary commitment to be met by 1 Jan 2005. Therefore, until 1 Jan 2005, Germany will permit 'guest air forces' to operate in German airspace without ACAS II, and without the need to apply for an exemption. However, with effect from 1 Jan 2005, all aircraft, whether civil or military, which meet the Phase 1 or Phase 2 criteria are required to carry and operate ACAS II within its airspace.
Clearly, States are encouraged to fit their military transport-type aircraft with TCAS II Version 7, which is ACAS II SARPs compliant, as soon as possible and by 1 Jan 2005 at the latest. Meanwhile, should TCAS II Version 6.04A be fitted, then its operation will continue to provide a significant safety benefit. This is also the case for Version 6.04A operation within RVSM airspace, even though extra Resolution Advisories (RAs) and a large number of nuisance Traffic Advisories (TAs) would be generated. (Please note that there is no direct link between the requirements for ACAS II and RVSM certification requirements for EUR RVSM airspace. So the installation of TCAS II Version 7 is not required for RVSM certification.).
Military operators who wish to register aircraft which meet the Phase 1 requirements and which periodically operate within the airspace of the ECAC States, may do so with the Eurocontrol ACAS Support Unit (ASU). Contact should be made with the ASU either by fax (+32-2-729-3719) or email (
[email protected]).
Military operators are requested to make the ASU aware of any ACAS II fitment plans they might have.