manual climb/descend in RVSM
 

Can someone answer this question about RVSM ops. over EASA countries...

Is it allowed to climb/descend manually in RVSM aerospace or is it a legal requirement to have the autopilot on?
I know that FAA allows this, not sure about EASA.

The reason why I ask this is that in my previous airline, with my fellow countrymen, we often flew complete manual climbs/descends, with only the cruise in AP.

hi despegue

as far as I know George is a required piece of equipment for any flight into RVSM. Therefore its use is also mandated for any portion of the flight in this airspace, should it be climb/descent or level flight :hmm:

There is nothing to prevent you from climbing or descending manually in RVSM airspace. RVSM is all about maintaining altitude.

JAA TGL No 6 describes it in more detail. With reference to the autopilot, all you need is an altitude hold function.

I do not believe that there is any restriction on how you climb, there is a max of 1500 f/m within 1000 of your assigned level.
Also the A/P must not only have an alt hold function but also a warning that the selected alt has been deviated from.
Prob means can climb/descend manually but not cruise.
You can not normally remain in RVSM space if the A/P decides to take a long term break from proceedings.

Thank you!