A320 RVSM certification and maintenance procedures
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A320 RVSM certification and maintenance procedures
What are requirements to get certification of A320 for RVSM flights?
What are the additional maintenace procedures for A320 aircraft certified for RVSM,which Airbus manual we need to refer?
What training is needed for maintenance Engineers for certifying A320 aircraft for RVSM flights?Any recurrent training needed after initial training?
Thanks in advance
What are the additional maintenace procedures for A320 aircraft certified for RVSM,which Airbus manual we need to refer?
What training is needed for maintenance Engineers for certifying A320 aircraft for RVSM flights?Any recurrent training needed after initial training?
Thanks in advance
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: VTBS
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TVrao,
Extract from A320 FCOM:
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace is any airspace or route between
FL290 and FL410 (inclusive), where aircraft are vertically separated by 1000 feet, instead
of 2000 feet. The aircraft system design complies with the design criteria of the JAA
Information Leaflet N° 6, and the FAA 91-RVSM Interim Guidance Material for RVSM
operations.
The statement of RVSM capability is also indicated in the AFM.
The above capability statement does not constitute an approval to fly RVSM. Operational
approval is to be granted by the Operator's national authorities, after assessment of the
airline's capability to meet RVSM requirements. The above-mentioned JAA and FAA
documents also cover requirements for obtaining operational approval.
For A320 REQUIRED EQUIPMENT/FUNCTIONS FOR RVSM I
RVSM regulations require the following equipment/functions in order to be operative:
- 2 ADR + 2 DMC
- 1 transponder
- 1 Autopilot function
- 1 FCU channel (for altitude target selection and OP CLB/OP DES mode engagement)
- 2 PFD functions (for altitude indication)
- 1 FWC (for altitude alert function)
FLIGHT PREPARATION
The crew must pay particular attention to conditions that may affect operation in RVSM
airspace. These include, but may not be limited to :
- Verifying that the airframe is approved for RVSM operations.
- Reported and forecast weather on the flight route.
- Review of maintenance logs and forms to determine the condition of equipment required
for flight in RVSM airspace. Ensure that maintenance action has been taken to correct
any defects of required equipment.
- Check that the PFD altitude indication (QNH reference) of ADR1, and also of ADR2, does
not differ from the airport elevation by more than 75 feet.
- Check, on ground, that the difference between the two primary altitude indications is
less than the tolerance specified in paragraph 3.04.34 "Maximum Differences Between
Altitude Indications".
PRIOR TO RVSM AIRSPACE ENTRY
The above-listed equipment, required for RVSM, must be operating normally. Should any of
this equipment fail prior entering the RVSM airspace, the crew must request new
clearance, to avoid flight in this airspace. The two primary altitude indications (pFD
indication from the onside ADR or ADR 3) should be in accordance with the instrument
tolerance (3.04.34). If only two ADRs are operative, the altimeter indications on the PFD
and standby altimeters should be recorded. This information may be useful in case of
subsequent PFD altitude discrepancy, or the loss of both remaining ADRs.
WITHIN RVSM AIRSPACE
- Autopilot should be engaged within RVSM airspace for cruise and flight level changes.
- During cleared transitions between flight levels, the aircraft should not overshoot or
undershoot the cleared flight levels by more than 150 feet.
- At intervals of approximately one hour, check that PFD altimeter indications agree in
accordance with the instrument tolerance (3.04.34). The usual scan of flight deck
instruments should be sufficient.
- Use the transponder and the autopilot, associated with one of the ADRs which is within
tolerance.
Extract from A320 FCOM:
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace is any airspace or route between
FL290 and FL410 (inclusive), where aircraft are vertically separated by 1000 feet, instead
of 2000 feet. The aircraft system design complies with the design criteria of the JAA
Information Leaflet N° 6, and the FAA 91-RVSM Interim Guidance Material for RVSM
operations.
The statement of RVSM capability is also indicated in the AFM.
The above capability statement does not constitute an approval to fly RVSM. Operational
approval is to be granted by the Operator's national authorities, after assessment of the
airline's capability to meet RVSM requirements. The above-mentioned JAA and FAA
documents also cover requirements for obtaining operational approval.
For A320 REQUIRED EQUIPMENT/FUNCTIONS FOR RVSM I
RVSM regulations require the following equipment/functions in order to be operative:
- 2 ADR + 2 DMC
- 1 transponder
- 1 Autopilot function
- 1 FCU channel (for altitude target selection and OP CLB/OP DES mode engagement)
- 2 PFD functions (for altitude indication)
- 1 FWC (for altitude alert function)
FLIGHT PREPARATION
The crew must pay particular attention to conditions that may affect operation in RVSM
airspace. These include, but may not be limited to :
- Verifying that the airframe is approved for RVSM operations.
- Reported and forecast weather on the flight route.
- Review of maintenance logs and forms to determine the condition of equipment required
for flight in RVSM airspace. Ensure that maintenance action has been taken to correct
any defects of required equipment.
- Check that the PFD altitude indication (QNH reference) of ADR1, and also of ADR2, does
not differ from the airport elevation by more than 75 feet.
- Check, on ground, that the difference between the two primary altitude indications is
less than the tolerance specified in paragraph 3.04.34 "Maximum Differences Between
Altitude Indications".
PRIOR TO RVSM AIRSPACE ENTRY
The above-listed equipment, required for RVSM, must be operating normally. Should any of
this equipment fail prior entering the RVSM airspace, the crew must request new
clearance, to avoid flight in this airspace. The two primary altitude indications (pFD
indication from the onside ADR or ADR 3) should be in accordance with the instrument
tolerance (3.04.34). If only two ADRs are operative, the altimeter indications on the PFD
and standby altimeters should be recorded. This information may be useful in case of
subsequent PFD altitude discrepancy, or the loss of both remaining ADRs.
WITHIN RVSM AIRSPACE
- Autopilot should be engaged within RVSM airspace for cruise and flight level changes.
- During cleared transitions between flight levels, the aircraft should not overshoot or
undershoot the cleared flight levels by more than 150 feet.
- At intervals of approximately one hour, check that PFD altimeter indications agree in
accordance with the instrument tolerance (3.04.34). The usual scan of flight deck
instruments should be sufficient.
- Use the transponder and the autopilot, associated with one of the ADRs which is within
tolerance.
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A320 RVSM certification and maintenance procedures
Thanks greenspinner, I am looking for information on A320RVSM certification and any additional maintenance programs and regulatory training required for A320 RVSM compliance.
