Reduced Vertical Seperation Minima (RVSM)

[nwadc10]

"Pilots, North, Central, and South America, in a coordinated effort, will implement RVSM airspace between FL290 and FL410 (inclusive). Vertical seperation is reduced from 2000 feet to 1000 feet. Previous to this, any flight between FL290 and FL410 had to file and fly an odd flight level (290, 310, 330, etc). Easterly flights flew FL290, 330, 370 and 410 while westerly flight flew FL310, 350, 390. This no longer applies as of 09:01Z on January 20th, 2005. Easterly flights now fly any odd FL and westerly flight fly any even FL. RVSM applies to your flight only if scheduled departure time is 09:01Z or later on the 20th of January. Apply this to your FS date/time rather than your real world date/time. At the specified time, ATC will need to know if your aircraft is RVSM authorized. All of our aircraft have been authorized by the FAA for operation in RVSM airspace and this is noted in your flight plan by using /W as the equipment suffix in the Equipment box. Justin"

[CraigM]

For the VATSIM flyers... VATUSA will also be implementing DRVSM on the 20th. <a href='http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?t=708' target='_blank'>http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?t=708</a>