Page 44 - Volume 16 Number 4

Do you have what it takes to fly up high? Are you RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums) authorized? Is your aircraft? In 2005 FAA introduced RVSM operations to open up more enroute capacity and give controllers and pilots more flexibility in cruising altitudes.
As the name suggests, RVSM reduces the vertical separation required between cruising altitudes from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet between Flight Levels (FL) 290-410 (29,000 feet – 41,000 feet). The only catch is that both the pilots and the aircraft must be authorized for RVSM operations. The FAA has seen numerous instances of pilots requesting RVSM flight levels or cruising in RVSM airspace without required authorization and/or without using the proper phraseology and flight plan filing practices provided in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).
In the first 15 days of November 2011, 35 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations were filed incorrectly. These events indicate that not only are “non-RVSM” aircraft being filed as RVSM authorized, but also that
authorized aircraft unable to conduct RVSM due to equipment malfunctions (operations in accordance with an MEL item) are being incorrectly filed as RVSM authorized. Flight plans are also being filed with an RVSM equipment/capability qualifier while simultaneously annotating a contradictory entry (e.g. NON-RVSM) in the “Remarks” section.
To address this issue, the FAA published a new Information for Operators (InFO) to provide guidance to those wishing to use RVSM airspace and to prevent future incidents from those who are not authorized. The FAA hope this InFO will help avoid potential enforcement actions and prevent possible safety issues.
For more information please see InFO 12001 at:
www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_ operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/media/2012/ InFO12001.pdf
Any questions or comments may be addressed toTrentBigler,AviationSafetyInspector,AFS-470 at (202) 385-4504. T&T
EN ROUTE

Million Air “takes off” with Aviation–Themed Party for NBAA’s Schedulers & Dispatchers Convention
HOUSTON, TX. – Million Air hosted an aviation- themed party on January 15th, 2012, at San Diego’s Air & Space Museum for the attendees of NBAA’s Schedulers & Dispatchers Convention. Million Air partnered with the USO San Diego organization to give every attendee the opportunity to make donations to support the upcoming Marine Corps Trials for the Warrior Games at Camp Pendleton in February.
“We love throwing a party every year for the Schedulers & Dispatchers. It’s a way for Million Air to say thank you for working with us and to have fun” said Roger Woolsey, CEO of Million Air. “We also felt that it was important to give the aviation community the opportunity to honor our wounded military by supporting USO San Diego in gathering donations for the Warrior Games. Million Air believes very strongly in serving those who serve us.”
The Million Air USO Blitz Party was a WWII-themed party that had over 850 guests in attendance. Guests were able to enjoy the Air & Space Museum, flight simulators, music and drinks.
“We were given a unique opportunity this evening by Million Air,” said John Dooley, President of USO San Diego. “We are so appreciative to capture the attention of those who attended tonight because this group of people
not only respects the services that the USO provides our military service members, but they also are the people who have the ability to have a great impact on encouraging their counterparts to contribute to USO San Diego.”
Since 1941, USO San Diego has worked in San Diego to make sure all of our courageous men and women in uniform – who risk their lives every day to defend our freedoms – know they have not been forgotten.
USO San Diego is not a government agency and receives no direct federal, state or municipal government funding. The non-profit organization is funded primarily by the generosity of the San Diego community. For more information on USO San Diego or how to make donations for the Warrior Games, visit www.usosandiego.org.
About Million Air
Million Air, one of the largest aviation service companies in the world, provides FBO services to upscale private charter customers. The company currently operates a network of 30 FBO locations in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. For more information, visit www.millionair.com. T&T
42 TWIN & TURBINE
APRIL 2012