RVSM with no Autopilot?

[illeagle]

We have a Citation Ultra without a working autopilot and yaw damper. Can we legally operate in RVSM airspace? Altitude selector and flight director work. What's your take? Thanks.

 

[be-400xpdriver]

No......

 

[Tgaug6300]

It is my understanding that you may not operate in RVSM without a functioning A/P.

RVSM operations require.

1. Two independent Altimetry systems.

2. One Automatic Altitude Control System:
A) installed and Capable of Altitude Keeping.
B)+ or - 65' Straight and level flight
C) Nonturbulant / Nongust conditions
D) Engaged for RVSM Operations

3. One Altitude Alert System

4. Transponder required

 

[Windsor]

No. Our AP was MEL'd this week and we had to fly around at FL280 and below until they fixed it.

 

[pilotyip]

Maybe, you can ask the controller. At 0900Z flying between SEA and FAR they may let you do it.

 

[300pilot]

Look at your MEL... it should give you pilot actions without an autopilot

 

[Fozzy]

I would appreciate you keeping your plane away from me and RVSM.

Thanks.

 

[NW Flyer]

Do you have an RVSM Manual? Ours is pretty specific on that stuff.

 

[glasspilot]

If you fly like your screen name then by all means go RVSM without an operable autopilot.

If you need to come to a fourm like this to find out if it's compliant with the FARs then I hope you are not the one at your company with responsibility for such decisions.

 

[slotationdriver]

no, hand fly it at FL430

 

[xrated]

Don't bother looking at FAR's, Don't waste time looking in manuals, No need to read any other opinons or suggestions. Like 400xpdriver said...

NO !!!!

No......

 

[Canucit]

no unless you tell the controllers that you are not rvsm and get a unrestricted climb to fl430

 

[RNObased]

We have a Citation Ultra without a working autopilot and yaw damper. Can we legally operate in RVSM airspace? Altitude selector and flight director work. What's your take? Thanks.

You know dude, there is this book called the FAR's and another book that you probably got when your jet was cert'ed for RVSM that you may want to crack (ie; open and READ), before coming on here and asking DUMB questions. I also think the AFM may have something to say about hand flying at 430, but I could be wrong. FYI, the AFM is another book in your plane, it kind of comes in handy on occasion, or maybe you ignore it.

There is an old saying that that says something like, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you are an idiot, then to open it and remove all doubt." I believe that applies to your question. Possibly one of the dumbest things I have seen posted on this board.

 

[Huggyu2]

Can we legally operate in RVSM airspace?

I don't fly an RVSM-qualified aircraft, but I let Center know I'm non-RVSM and requesting FL 370. More times than not, they give it to me.

 

[illeagle]

You know dude, there is this book called the FAR's and another book that you probably got when your jet was cert'ed for RVSM that you may want to crack (ie; open and READ), before coming on here and asking DUMB questions. I also think the AFM may have something to say about hand flying at 430, but I could be wrong. FYI, the AFM is another book in your plane, it kind of comes in handy on occasion, or maybe you ignore it.

There is an old saying that that says something like, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you are an idiot, then to open it and remove all doubt." I believe that applies to your question. Possibly one of the dumbest things I have seen posted on this board.

Lighten up Francis, no need to be hostile and insulting. Just a simple question for the professionals out there. I asked 3 pilots and got 3 different answers at the local airport. The only DUMB question is the one not asked . I guess you have it all figured out already though...

 

[RNObased]

Lighten up Francis, no need to be hostile and insulting. Just a simple question for the professionals out there. I asked 3 pilots and got 3 different answers at the local airport. The only DUMB question is the one not asked . I guess you have it all figured out already though...

Professionals pick up the books and try to find the answer themselves, therefore reinforcing what they learn. And yes I had it figured out, because when RVSM came into effect, it directly effected what I do for a living and since I didn't want to get violated I READ about the rules that govern said RVSM.

I still don't know why you didn't try to find the answer yourself instead of asking the local airport experts. And yes it is a dumb question and if you are sick of being insulted maybe next time, you will put in the 5 minutes it takes to look up a easy question, that could directly effect what you do a for living. Instead of coming onto a public web site and asking a silly question.

 

[slotationdriver]

why read a book when one could ask the god of avaition on this thread?

 

[finnjl]

no...it will be in the MEL as a condition to the defferal

 

[illeagle]

I think you need to bid the "home base" and get off the RNO base. You must be a prize to fly and RNO with... You know, there are plenty of Decaf brands on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing.

Thanks to everyone else for the answers to the original scenario question.

 

[AC560]

Maybe, you can ask the controller. At 0900Z flying between SEA and FAR they may let you do it.

According to 91.706 (b) the controller is not authorized to waive the requirement, only the Administrator is.