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4/20/23 

AIM 

Wake Turbulence Encounters 

Pilot should: 

Contact ATC and request vector, FL change or, 

if capable, a lateral offset 

See paragraph 4

6

7, Guidance on Wake 

Turbulence. 

Controller should: 

Issue vector, FL change or lateral offset 

clearance, traffic permitting 

Paragraph 4

6

6 explains “traffic permitting.” 

“Unable RVSM Due Equipment” 

Failure of Automatic Altitude Control System, Altitude Alerter or All Primary Altimeters 

Pilot will: 

Contact ATC and state “Unable RVSM Due 

Equipment” 

Request clearance out of RVSM airspace unless 

operational situation dictates otherwise 

Controller will: 

Provide 2,000 feet vertical separation or 

appropriate horizontal separation 

Clear aircraft out of RVSM airspace unless 

operational situation dictates otherwise 

One Primary Altimeter Remains Operational 

Pilot will: 

Cross check stand

by altimeter 

Notify ATC of operation with single primary 

altimeter 

If unable to confirm primary altimeter accuracy, 

follow actions for failure of all primary altimeters 

Controller will: 

Acknowledge operation with single primary 

altimeter 

Transponder Failure 

Pilot will: 

Contact ATC and request authority to continue 

to operate at cleared flight level 

Comply with revised ATC clearance, if issued 

NOTE

 

14 CFR Section 91.215 (ATC transponder and altitude 
reporting equipment and use) regulates operation with the 
transponder inoperative. 

Controller will: 

Consider request to continue to operate at 

cleared flight level 

Issue revised clearance, if necessary 

4

6

10.  Procedures for Accommodation of Non

RVSM Aircraft 

a.  General Policies for Accommodation of Non

RVSM Aircraft 

1. 

The RVSM mandate calls for only RVSM authorized aircraft/operators to fly in designated RVSM 

airspace with limited exceptions. The policies detailed below are intended exclusively for use by aircraft that the 

FAA has agreed to accommodate. They are not intended to provide other operators a means to circumvent the 

normal RVSM approval process. 

2. 

If the operator is not authorized or the aircraft is not RVSM

compliant, the aircraft will be referred to 

as a “non

RVSM” aircraft. 14 CFR Section 91.180 and Part 91, Appendix G, enable the FAA to authorize a 

deviation to operate a non

RVSM aircraft in RVSM airspace. 

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

4

6

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