Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM)

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 91 [Docket No. FAA-2000-8490; Amdt. No. 91-271] RIN 2120-AH12 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule amends the list of airspace locations where Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) may be applied to include the New York Flight Information Region (FIR) portion of West Atlantic Route System (WATRS) airspace. RVSM is the reduction of vertical separation between aircraft at certain higher altitudes. RVSM is applied only between aircraft that meet stringent altimeter and auto-pilot performance requirements. The introduction of RVSM in WATRS airspace will save operators fuel and time and will enhance airspace capacity. This rule also requires any aircraft that is equipped with Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System version II (TCAS II) and that is flying in RVSM airspace to incorporate a version of TCAS II that is compatible with RVSM operations. EFFECTIVE DATE: December 10, 2001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Maloy, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, Flight Standards Service, AFS-400, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, telephone (860) 654-1006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Availability of Rulemaking Documents You can get an electronic copy using the Internet by taking the following steps: (1) Go to the search function of the Department of Transportation's electronic Docket M…