Climbing above RVSM airspace

[Sandhawk]

Great question. The LOA program is bizarre; has to be based on what the Europeans insist on to employ a few hundred additional EASA drones.
RVSM training in 8 seconds:
Don't hand fly above 28,000 feet, always stay on your assigned altitude, and make sure your aircraft is RVSM certified.
It should be that simple.

Don't forget to reduce your rate of climb / descent to 1,000fpm or less for the last 1,000 ft prior to level-off....

 

[spxdriver]

New twist on the RVSM bs. We haven't had any problems getting clearance above RVSM airspace so far but have a trip scheduled to Cabo San Lucas this week. Im guessing the same would apply in Mexico especially since you spend so much time in non radar environment. Planning to file for FL280 and request FL430 enroute. Anybody out there had issues with this in Mexico?

Are you flying from the US to Cabo San Lucas? If so, you won't be spending any time outside of radar contact on that flight.

I have heard, on numerous occasions, Mexico ATC denying aircraft higher than FL280 when they're non-RVSM.

 

[SabreFlyR]

Are you flying from the US to Cabo San Lucas? If so, you won't be spending any time outside of radar contact on that flight.

I have heard, on numerous occasions, Mexico ATC denying aircraft higher than FL280 when they're non-RVSM.

Especially if your crossing from South Texas, it's will soon be very busy along those routes.

 

[big pimpn']

I fly a ce-560 contract on a regular basis and transition through RVSM to 430 - 450, it's a nobrainer and easy to do... Just make sure u have the required equipment suffix and don't accept a level off at RVSM altitudes and u will b fine

 

[BoilerUP]

None of this would be an issue if the FAA didn't allow FSDOs to have their heads up their asses when it comes to issuing RVSM OpSpecs in a timely manner.

The day we took delivery of our CJ2+, I got a call from our FSDO saying they needed a copy of the temp registration so they could issue; one single fax page from Cessna and I had the OpSpecs in hand before signing the delivery papers.

On a previous aircraft, it was 16 total days from FSDO receiving our manuals until I picked up the paperwork.

Every time I read some operator taking 3-6 MONTHS to get an LOA I can't help but shake my head...

 

[Iflewjetz]

None of this would be an issue if the FAA didn't allow FSDOs to have their heads up their asses when it comes to issuing RVSM OpSpecs in a timely manner.

The day we took delivery of our CJ2+, I got a call from our FSDO saying they needed a copy of the temp registration so they could issue; one single fax page from Cessna and I had the OpSpecs in hand before signing the delivery papers.

On a previous aircraft, it was 16 total days from FSDO receiving our manuals until I picked up the paperwork.

Every time I read some operator taking 3-6 MONTHS to get an LOA I can't help but shake my head...

It took us a month and a half because of a certain FSDO inspector. He even commented how he had been tracking us online and seen that we were climbing through RVSM. Blocked the aircraft after that. Jerky.

 

[Brett Hull]

It took us a month and a half because of a certain FSDO inspector. He even commented how he had been tracking us online and seen that we were climbing through RVSM. Blocked the aircraft after that. Jerky.

I think, him being with the FAA and all, he probably has access to the feed that shows even the blocked planes. So now you know what he was doing when he wasn't taking care of your RVSM package. :angryfire