AIM 

4/20/23 

3. 

Non

−

RVSM aircraft flights will be handled on a workload permitting basis. The vertical separation 

standard applied between aircraft not approved for RVSM and all other aircraft must be 2,000 feet. 

4.  Required Pilot Calls. 

The pilot of non

−

RVSM aircraft will inform the controller of the lack of RVSM 

approval in accordance with the direction provided in paragraph 4

−

6

−

8, Pilot/Controller Phraseology. 

b.  Categories of Non

−

RVSM Aircraft that may be Accommodated 

Subject to FAA approval and clearance, the following categories of non

−

RVSM aircraft may operate in domestic 

U.S. RVSM airspace provided they have an operational transponder. 

1. 

Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft. 

2. 

Flights conducted for aircraft certification and development purposes. 

3. 

Active air ambulance flights utilizing a “MEDEVAC” call sign. 

4. 

Aircraft climbing/descending through RVSM flight levels (without intermediate level off) to/from FLs 

above RVSM airspace (Policies for these flights are detailed in paragraph 4

−

6

−

11, Non

−

RVSM Aircraft 

Requesting Climb to and Descent from Flight Levels Above RVSM Airspace Without Intermediate Level Off. 

5. 

Foreign State (government) aircraft. 

c. 

Methods for operators of  non

−

RVSM aircraft to request access to RVSM Airspace. Operators may: 

1.  LOA/MOU. 

Enter into a Letter of Agreement (LOA)/Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the 

RVSM facility (the Air Traffic facility that provides air traffic services in RVSM airspace). Operators must 

comply with LOA/MOU. 

2.  File

−

and

−

Fly. 

File a flight plan to notify the FAA of their intention to request access to RVSM airspace. 

NOTE

−

 

Priority for access to RVSM airspace will be afforded to RVSM compliant aircraft, then File

−

and

−

Fly flights. 

4

−

6

−

11.  Non

−

RVSM Aircraft Requesting Climb to and Descent from Flight Levels Above 

RVSM Airspace Without Intermediate Level Off 

a.  File

−

and

−

Fly. 

Operators of Non

−

RVSM aircraft climbing to and descending from RVSM flight levels 

should just file a flight plan. 

b. 

Non

−

RVSM aircraft climbing to and descending from flight levels above RVSM airspace will be handled 

on a workload permitting basis. The vertical separation standard applied in RVSM airspace between non

−

RVSM 

aircraft and all other aircraft must be 2,000 feet. 

c. 

Non

−

RVSM aircraft climbing to/descending from RVSM airspace can only be considered for 

accommodation provided: 

1. 

Aircraft is capable of a continuous climb/descent and does not need to level off at an intermediate altitude 

for any operational considerations and 

2. 

Aircraft is capable of climb/descent at the normal rate for the aircraft. 

d.  Required Pilot Calls. 

The pilot of non

−

RVSM aircraft will inform the controller of the lack of RVSM 

approval in accordance with the direction provided in paragraph 4

−

6

−

8, Pilot/Controller Phraseology. 

4

−

6

−

10 

Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the 

Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR