GUIDANCE 91-RVSM
CHANGE 2 (2/10/04)
Subject: Approval of Date: 2/10/04 Guidance Material
Aircraft and Operators for on the Approval of
Flight in Airspace Above Initiated by: AFS-400 Operators/Aircraft
FL 290 Where a 1,000 Foot for RVSM Operations
Vertical Separation
Minimum Is Applied Change: 2
1. PURPOSE. This change updates guidance contained in Interim Guidance 91-RVSM
Change 1 published on 6/30/99. See paragraph 2 below for further explanation.
2. PRINCIPLE CHANGES. There are no major changes to RVSM operational or
airworthiness policies in this revision.
a. General: all references to “FAR” updated to “14 CFR”. 14 CFR is the abbreviation
for “Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations”.
b. Page 1: title changed to “Guidance Material on the Approval of Operators/Aircraft for
RVSM Operations”; paragraph 2: updated references to related regulations.
c. Paragraph 7 (RVSM PERFORMANCE), pages 6-8: paragraph 7c (5) and note under
paragraph 7d: updates January 1, 1997 date to April 9, 1997 to harmonize with 14 CFR
part 91 Appendix G.
d. Paragraph 8 (AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS), pages 8-11: paragraphs 8c and note under
paragraph 8d: updates January 1, 1997 date to April 9, 1997 to harmonize with 14 CFR
part 91 Appendix G.
e. Paragraph 11 (OPERATIONAL APPROVAL), pages 22-26: paragraph 11b(1): adds
references to RVSM Website as a primary source of information; paragraph 11d:
clarifies policy that part 91 operators do not require separate Letters of Authorization
(LOA) for individual RVSM areas of operation; paragraph 11d(3)(ii): clarifies means
for part 91 operators to show acceptable pilot knowledge of RVSM policy and
procedures; paragraph 11d(4): clarifies FAA acceptance of operations manuals;
paragraph 11d(6): clarifies policy that MEL guidance only applies to operators that
operate under an MEL; paragraph 11d(8): updates address for RVSM Documentation
Webpage information on RVSM monitoring requirements and procedures; paragraph
11f: clarifies policy that part 91 operators may be subject to an FAA observed validation
flight; paragraph 11g(2): updates paragraph with policy that part 91 operators do not
require separate LOA’s for individual RVSM areas of operation.
2/10/04 91-RVSM
f. Appendix 4 (TRAINING PROGRAMS AND OPERATING PRACTICES AND
PROCEDURES), pages 1-5: paragraph 2b: clarifies annotation of ATC flight plan to
show operator and aircraft RVSM authorization; paragraph 4 note: deletes note with
reference to possible regional agreement on dual altitude control system equipage;
paragraph 5f (2): clarifies recording of initial altimeter cross check; paragraph 5j:
clarifies sources of information on contingency procedures for individual areas of
operation; paragraph 7a: clarifies sources of information on general RVSM policy and
procedures for individual areas of operation; paragraph 7i: clarifies sources of
information on the application of lateral offsets in oceanic airspace.
g. Appendix 5 (SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR OCEANIC AIRSPACE), pages 1-9:
paragraph 2b: added reference to world map on RVSM Website showing areas where
RVSM is implemented or planned; paragraph 8b: clarified sources of information on
oceanic areas where lateral offsets can be flown as standard operating procedure.
PAGE CONTROL CHART
Remove Pages Dated Insert pages Dated
1 6/30/99 1 2/10/04
7-8 3/14/94 7-8 2/10/04
10-11 3/14/94 10-11 2/10/04
22-26 6/30/99 22-26 2/10/04
Appendix 4 pages 1-5 6/30/99 Appendix 4 pages 1-5 2/10/04
Appendix 5 pages 1 and 9 6/30/99 Appendix 5 pages 1 and 9 2/20/04
Note: paragraphs containing new or revised material are marked with an asterisk.
Robert Swain
RVSM Program Manager
Flight Technologies and Procedures Division (AFS-400)
FAA Headquarters
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