RVSM

[graziani]

Is it possibile to plan flights above FL 410 with airplane NO RVSM approved ? Filing OFP just to cross momentarily the RVSM space?
Tks

[ATC Watcher]

Interesting question but I would say no as the book says your aircraft needs to be RVSM approved to enter RVSM airspace and you would need to do this at least twice. Only State aircraft are exempted and ATC need to provide 2000ft separation at all times with other traffic when one is around .a real pain .
That said if you can , do it fast because the (ICAO) plan is to extend RVSM above FL410 very soon.

[AerocatS2A]

Originally Posted by ATC Watcher

Interesting question but I would say no as the book says your aircraft needs to be RVSM approved to enter RVSM airspace and you would need to do this at least twice. Only State aircraft are exempted and ATC need to provide 2000ft separation at all times with other traffic when one is around .a real pain .
That said if you can , do it fast because the (ICAO) plan is to extend RVSM above FL410 very soon.

Most likely true, but a bit silly if all you are doing is climbing or descending through the airspace.

[ScepticalOptomist]

If you are CROSSING the airspace and not operating within it, yes you can plan to fly above it Non-RVSM.

[graziani]

Originally Posted by ScepticalOptomist

If you are CROSSING the airspace and not operating within it, yes you can plan to fly above it Non-RVSM.

can I have pls where it is written by authority ( ICAO EASA etc etc?

[Ollie Onion]

This is an excerpt from FAA regs for RVSM, Note that number four clearly exempts non RVSM aircraft that are climbing or descending through RVSM without any planned level off’s:

Subject to FAA approval and clearance, the following categories of non-RVSM aircraft may operate in domestic U.S.

1. Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft.
2. Flights conducted for aircraft certification and development purposes.
3. Active air ambulance flights utilizing a “MEDEVAC” call sign.
4. Aircraft climbing/descending through RVSM flight levels (without intermediate level off) to/from FLs above RVSM airspace (Policies for these flights are detailed in paragraph 4-6-11, Non-RVSM Aircraft Requesting Climb to and Descent from Flight Levels Above RVSM Airspace Without Intermediate Level Off.
5. Foreign State (government) aircraft.

[megan]

Would an engine failure and drift down into RVSM not be a problem if you're planning on flying above?

[bobbytables]

Originally Posted by megan

Would an engine failure and drift down into RVSM not be a problem if you're planning on flying above?

As long as you drift down through to below RVSM without leveling off within RVSM it doesn’t seem like it would be a problem. No different than the planned descent (which is allowed as per above).

[ATC Watcher]

Originally Posted by Ollie Onion

This is an excerpt from FAA regs for RVSM, Note that number four clearly exempts non RVSM aircraft that are climbing or descending through RVSM without any planned level off’s:

Subject to FAA approval and clearance, the following categories of non-RVSM aircraft may operate in domestic U.S.

1. Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft.
2. Flights conducted for aircraft certification and development purposes.
3. Active air ambulance flights utilizing a “MEDEVAC” call sign.
4. Aircraft climbing/descending through RVSM flight levels (without intermediate level off) to/from FLs above RVSM airspace (Policies for these flights are detailed in paragraph 4-6-11, Non-RVSM Aircraft Requesting Climb to and Descent from Flight Levels Above RVSM Airspace Without Intermediate Level Off.
5. Foreign State (government) aircraft.

interesting but note this is only valid inside domestic US airspace only. You will have to check if this is valid for all the various countries you will overfly
For info Eurocontrol regulation does not mention this, even for State and military aircraft :

All civilian aircraft intending to operate in designated RVSM airspace are required to be approved by their Competent Authority. There is no exemption for State aircraft to operate as GAT within RVSM airspace (FL 290 to FL 410) with a 1000 ft vertical separation minimum without an RVSM approval. The absence of such approval does not mean that State aircraft cannot access RVSM-designated airspace, but it does require a separation of 2000 ft to be observed.

There is nothing written as far as I am aware about crossing the airspace , just operating inside. and being RVSM compliant or not .The appropriate documentation for Europe can be found in here : https://www.eurocontrol.int/service/...itoring-agency