RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum)

RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) reduces the vertical separation between aircraft from 2,000 ft to 1,000 ft in the altitude band between FL290 and FL410. This effectively doubles the number of available flight levels in the most-used cruise altitude range, increasing airspace capacity and allowing more fuel-efficient flight levels.

• Requires aircraft with certified altimetry systems (two independent altitude measurement sources)
• Aircraft must have autopilot with altitude hold capability
• Operator must have RVSM approval — included in the operations specifications
• Height Monitoring Units (HMUs) verify altimetry accuracy periodically
• Now implemented globally — virtually all commercial aircraft are RVSM-approved