Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum
Updated: 1:02 pm ET February 5, 2008
The goal of RVSM is to reduce the vertical separation above flight level (FL) 290
from the current 2000-ft minimum to 1000-ft minimum. This will allow aircraft to
safely fly more optimum profiles, gain fuel savings and increase airspace capacity.
The process of safely changing this separation standard requires a study to assess
the actual performance of airspace users under the current separation (2000-ft) and
potential performance under the new standard (1000-ft). In 1988, the ICAO Review of
General Concept of Separation Panel (RGCSP) completed this study and concluded that
safe implementation of the 1000-ft separation standard was technically feasible |
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| CAR/SAM RVSM |
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Proposed implementation
FL 290-410 January 20, 2005 |
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| WATRS RVSM |
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Phase I:Transition September 30, 2000 |
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Phase II: FL310-390 November 1, 2001 |
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Phase III: FL290-410 January 24, 2002 |
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| NAT RVSM |
Phase I: FL330-370 March 27, 1997
Phase II: FL310-390 October 8, 1998
Phase III: FL290-410 January 24, 2002 |
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| WATRS RVSM |
|
Phase I:Transition September 30, 2000 |
|
Phase II: FL310-390 November 1, 2001 |
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Phase III: FL290-410 January 24, 2002 |
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