Annex A: Operational Airworthiness Clearance Requirements

A-1. General. The OAC requirements related to RVSM training, operating procedures and height keeping performance monitoring described in this annex are based on material from TCCA AC 700-039 (reference 3.2.f of the advisory).

A-2. RVSM Training. The OAC requirements include the obligation for any DND/CAF fleet seeking approval to file an ICAO Flight Plan Code of “W” for operations in RVSM airspace to address RVSM training in their initial and recurrent training programs, and to develop a training program for flight crew and personnel involved in the operator’s maintenance control system. The areas of RVSM operations and type of aircraft used will determine the training, checking and currency requirements.

A-3. Ground training must address the following:

1. The floor, ceiling and horizontal boundaries of RVSM airspace
2. The standard ATC phraseology regarding RVSM areas of operations
3. The rules on the exclusion of non-RVSM-compliant aircraft from the airspace
4. Any aircraft system failures that would prevent RVSM operation
5. The procedures to be followed by flight crew members with respect to the following:
   1. Pre-flight and in-flight altimeter checks
   2. Use of the automatic altitude control system
   3. Items on the minimum equipment list
   4. In-flight contingencies
   5. Weather deviation procedures
   6. Track offset procedures for wake turbulence
   7. Inconsequential collision-avoidance systems alerts
   8. Pilot level-off call
6. Crew members cross checking each other to ensure that ATC clearances are promptly and correctly complied with
7. The problems of visual perception of other aircraft at 1,000 ft (300 m) planned separation during night conditions, when encountering local phenomena such as Northern Lights, for opposite and same direction traffic, and during turns
8. Operating procedures and characteristics of the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)/Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) in a RVSM environment
9. The relationship between the altimetry, automatic altitude control and transponder systems in normal and abnormal situations
10. For operators authorized to conduct oceanic operations — use of Strategic Lateral Offset Procedures (SLOP) in oceanic airspace to mitigate the effect of wake turbulence and the effect of operational errors
11. Methodology for entering logbook entries that accurately describe any malfunction of RVSM required equipment

A-4. RVSM Operating Procedures. The RVSM operating procedure requirements listed below have been derived from those identified in TCCA AC 700-039 (reference 3.2.f, Appendix A/B, Section 4.0). Operating procedures must provide guidance for flight crews and flight dispatchers (if applicable) respecting operations in RVSM airspace. Procedures must address the following areas:

1. Verify that the aircraft is approved for RVSM operations and, if required, ensure that the aircraft operating limitations are considered
2. Annotate Block 10 (equipment) of the ICAO flight plan to indicate that the aircraft and operator are authorized for RVSM operations using ICAO Flight Code “W”
3. Verify that the reported and forecast weather conditions on route of the flight are appropriate for RVSM flight
4. Verify the minimum equipment requirements and associated Minimum Equipment List (MEL) pertaining to height keeping systems
5. Ensure crews/dispatchers are familiar with the procedures for flight of non-RVSM aircraft for maintenance, humanitarian and delivery flights

A-5. Flight Planning and Pre-Flight Procedures. Flight crews and flight dispatchers (if applicable) shall verify those conditions that might affect operation in RVSM airspace. Pre-flight procedures can include, without being limited to, the following:

1. Ensure that flight crews review appropriate logs and forms to ascertain the condition of the equipment required for flight in RVSM airspace and that, if required, corrective maintenance action has been taken to ensure that the minimum required equipment for RVSM operations is serviceable
2. Ensure that flight crews conduct an external inspection of the aircraft to confirm the condition of RVSM components, and at a minimum include the following:
   1. Static sources
   2. Fuselage skin near each static source
   3. Any other component that affects altimetry system accuracy
   4. Aircraft altimeters that are set to the local altimeter atmospheric pressure setting and display a known elevation within the limits specified in aircraft operating manuals
   5. Ensuring that the two primary altimeters agree within the limits specified in the aircraft operating manual
   6. Ensuring that, before take off, equipment required for flight in RVSM airspace is operational and indications of malfunction are resolved.

A-6. Prior to Entry into RVSM Airspace. Establish procedures that require flight crews to:

1. Address equipment failure prior to entering RVSM airspace
2. Verify, prior to entering RVSM airspace, that the equipment listed below is fully serviceable and functioning normally:
   1. Two independent primary altitude measurement systems
   2. One automatic altitude-control system
   3. One Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) altitude reporting transponder
   4. One altitude-alerting device

A-7. In-flight Procedures. Establish in-flight procedures that require flight crews to:

1. Comply with applicable aircraft operating limitations related to RVSM
2. Conduct regular cross checks between the primary altimeters and the stand-by altimeter
3. Ensure that the altimetry system being used to control the aircraft is selected to provide the input to the altitude-reporting transponder transmitting information to ATC
4. Take appropriate measures to exit RVSM airspace in the event of equipment failure degrading or prohibiting RVSM operations.

A-8. Post Flight. Establish post flight procedures which require flight crews to verify logbook entries against malfunctions in height-keeping systems.

A-9. RVSM Height Monitoring. Operational procedures must ensure the implementation of initial and recurrent requirements for the height monitoring of DND/CAF RVSM aircraft. Annex C identifies the height monitoring requirements, the procedures published in GPH204A (reference 3.2.g) and the coordination procedure for failure reports.