RVSM pilot training is required to obtain RVSM operational approval. The pilot training requirements may be found in 91-RVSM Guidance Change 2 and Part 91 Appendix G.

Pilot training for commercial operators (121, 135 and Subpart K) are required to have initial and recurring pilot training. The training section of the manual must include RVSM policies and procedures. Over the last year the FAA has developed a number of documents that outline specific RVSM training requirements. Many of these documents may be found on FAA RVSM web sites.

Acceptable Methods of Training

The FAA will accept any one of the options listed below to be an acceptable method of pilot training and to demonstrate pilot knowledge of RVSM policy & procedures.

1. Accept 14 CFR part 142 training center certificates without further evaluation, such as FlightSafety or Simuflite.

2. Accept certificates documenting completion of a course of instruction on RVSM policy and procedures.

3. Accept an operator’s in-house training program.

While training centers offer an effective means to comply with RVSM pilot training, the growing demand for international operations and RVSM becoming a standard flight operation there are a number of operators adapting in-house RVSM training programs. The advantage of in-house program is the RVSM training is tailored for your operation and once developed the program may be distributed via CD or over the Web. This is also a cost effective training method.

Flightcrew Training Requirements

When developing a RVSM Training program the following are conisdered special emphasis items and policy and procedures will need to be developed to address each of the following:

a)         Area of Operations Specific Policy and Procedures Including Standard ATC Phraseology.  See Area of Operations Specific Information on the RVSM Documentation Webpage for RVSM operational policy and procedures for individual areas of operation including the domestic United States ;

b)         Importance of crew members cross checking each other to ensure that ATC clearances are promptly and correctly complied with;

c)         Use and limitations in terms of accuracy of standby altimeters in contingencies.  Where applicable, the pilot should review the application of SSEC/PEC through the use of correction cards;

d)         Problems of visual perception of other aircraft at 1,000 ft (300 m) planned separation during night conditions, when encountering local phenomena such as northern lights, for opposite and same direction traffic and during turns;

e)         Characteristics of aircraft altitude capture systems which may lead to the occurrence of overshoots;

f)          Operational procedures and operating characteristics related to TCAS (ACAS) operation in an RVSM operation;

g)         Relationship between the altimetry, automatic altitude control, and transponder systems in normal and abnormal situations;

h)         Aircraft operating restrictions (if required for the specific aircraft group) related to RVSM airworthiness approval;

i)          Use of track offset procedures in oceanic airspace to mitigate the effect of wake turbulence and to mitigate the effect of operational errors. 

For further details and assistance for developing your RVSM training program contact us.