RVSM LOA approval time?

[super88]

Hey all,

Flying Pt. 91 for a private individual who just bought a new G150. We're trying our darndest to get as much squared before the delivery, but wow! What a mess. Anyone out there had any recent experience with obtaining approval on an RVSM LOA lately? We've ponied up for the works through GLN Compliance in Denver (RVSM Manuals, LOA, MNPS, Intn'l Ops, MMEL) in hopes of getting it all right the first time.

We've been told by the man who signs the paychecks that he'd like a trip to Antigua in April and Hawaii as well. We're expecting no problems fast-tracking the registration, however DuPage FSDO is saying expect 4-6 weeks for RVSM LOA approval. Any tips? Please...

Thanks so much for any feedback.

 

[cptsesso]

Baltimore FSDO (2 years ago) told us 3 to 4 months for approval. We got NBAA involved and had approval in 10 days.

Just got approval this summer with Allentown FSDO and had it back in less than a week.

 

[svcta]

I know a guy who does this all the time in my area and he gets it done pretty quickly.

I would call the FSDO and ask if there's someone who sets this stuff up for flight departments in your area. They may know him by name and that helps in every way.

 

[Galaxy]

We had an early 90's airframe RVSM'd and we were told it would take 90-120 days as well. With the help of NBAA it was 14 days for us. At least they don't expire every 2 years now. I would think that with a new plane like the G150 it should be easier. I am more surprised that the GMafia in Savannah isn't helping you out.
Best advice is call the FSDO to see what they say and if you don't like the answer...get Gulfstream and NBAA involved.
After you get your bird give some feedback on how you like it or dislike it as inquiring minds want to know.

 

[blzr]

If you need help, I know someone here that used to be FAA, he got ours done in about 7 days once we got him the info he needed.

 

[super88]

Ok, great info. It sounds as if now that the big RVSM retrofit rush has sort of come and gone they're turning them around much quicker.

The biggest hold up is that Gulfstream is using the airplane as a demo until Jan 29th. Then it goes down for paint and refurb prior to re-delivery. They're telling us they can't apply for the registration until time of delivery (nevermind the three to four weeks it will be OTS.) The FSDO is telling us we can't apply for RVSM until we get the pink registration...

I should have the LOA in my hands next week. At which time I'm going to walk it into the FSDO and hand deliver it to the person giving approval and say, "Here you go. Please look this over and tell me if there's anything wrong. I'll be back in one month with the pink registration slip and any revisions you deem necessary."

Hopefully that will streamline the process. If not I'll hit up NBAA for a little hand. I'm remaining optimistic, but my co-pilot is having a coronary.I'll keep ya'll posted on the process (and the new bird!).

Cheers,
Gavin

 

[FlaZoomie]

I've been told by a ATC controller who was a trainer for RVSM that once you have submitted the paperwork to the FSDO and after the crew is trained you can fly RVSM. He says all there has to be is a paper trail incase the feds look into it.

 

[super88]

Interesting. Well, spoke with the PAI today about getting the ball rolling and he was kind enough to say send me what you've got and I'll get it all squared away with the exception of a signature. Then once we have the registration we can just fax a copy and it will be done.

Sounds like a non-event, finally. Apparently you have to call them at least three times before they think you're serious!

 

[Lead Sled]

I've been told by a ATC controller who was a trainer for RVSM that once you have submitted the paperwork to the FSDO and after the crew is trained you can fly RVSM. He says all there has to be is a paper trail incase the feds look into it.

Be very, very careful with this one.

 

[ProFracPilot]

Sounds like a non-event, finally. Apparently you have to call them at least three times before they think you're serious!

It really depends on the FSDO you're working through. For example, TPA FSDO will tell you their guidance gives them 90 (working) days to complete the task. Then they tell you the caveats: If they send documentation back to you for correction, this is outside of their 90 (working) day clock and to expect the process to take longer. If my primary RVSM inspector got called away, this, too was an unforseen factor and would extend the time required to complete their task.

I worked with an operator importing 2 turbojet aircraft from Canada. These aircraft were DRVSM certified in Canada and met ALL of the FAA criteria for DRVSM, but of course those facts are of no matter to the FAA. They returned my manuals to me at day 31. I had one correction to a manual, and returned them to the office inside of 24 hours. The FSDO took their full 90 (working) days to give the approval. Actual calendar time was approximately 100 days. These two aircraft, once U.S. registered, flew no higher than FL280 for about 5 weeks.

I've heard similar stories. Unfortunately, there are no "Standards" when you're dealing with "Flight Standards" District Offices. I wish you luck.

 

[Fblowjets]

Louisiana FSDO took 11 months. Had to sell the Jet thanks to them. But dont let me get started on those guys

 

[LR45JI]

We've had the same experience as profracpilot. We have RVSM'd 7 airplanes (all the same manf.) with identical RVSM packages and our FSDO takes until the last minute they are allowed.

A threat from NBAA and/or FAA higher up makes them move faster as the delivery date approaches......sad.....but that's the way our FSDO works.

There is no standard - it's one FSDO to the next.

I can't believe you still have to go through all this monkey-motion when airplanes are coming out of the factors RVSM'd......

 

[Lead Sled]

My experience was 100% the opposite. Our FSDO gave us a temporary RVSM LOA which enabled us to operate above FL290 while our paperwork was going through channels. It took the coordination of two FSDO - our home FSDO and the FSDO where the work was being done. Our only restriction was that it was for domestic flying only.

I had never heard of such a thing, but I operate on the principle of "it never hurts to ask".

LS

 

[volunteer]

Took us 45 days with the Philly FSDO to get RVSM, MNPS, B-RNAV, & P-RNAV approvals.

 

[tracearabians]

Hey all,

Flying Pt. 91 for a private individual who just bought a new G150. We're trying our darndest to get as much squared before the delivery, but wow! What a mess. Anyone out there had any recent experience with obtaining approval on an RVSM LOA lately? We've ponied up for the works through GLN Compliance in Denver (RVSM Manuals, LOA, MNPS, Intn'l Ops, MMEL) in hopes of getting it all right the first time.

We've been told by the man who signs the paychecks that he'd like a trip to Antigua in April and Hawaii as well. We're expecting no problems fast-tracking the registration, however DuPage FSDO is saying expect 4-6 weeks for RVSM LOA approval. Any tips? Please...

Thanks so much for any feedback.

You are at the mercy of your local FSDO . We bought an airplane that was already approved but the manual and LOA could not be found . We called Cessna and they produced a manual for us in two weeks and it passed on first try !

 

[BoilerPilot]

Like is said above....I have seen it done in 5 minutes and I have seen it not done in 120 days. Most FSDOs will try to get a response in 30 days. However, the response could be, "the manual is unacceptable please resubmit with changes". If this happens the clock starts over. I have dealt with 5 different FSDOs getting RVSM paperwork and none of them have the same standards. Good luck and I wouldn't say Int'l in April would be a major problem so long as you stay on top of the guys at the FSDO.

 

[SabreFlyR]

Louisiana FSDO took 11 months. Had to sell the Jet thanks to them. But dont let me get started on those guys

It's been a year, but I had our latest rvsm manual back in 3 weeks from the btr fsdo. We submitted our first rvsm manual during the January 2005 rush and had it back approved in 4 weeks.

 

[Fblowjets]

Must be nice we submitted Jan of 2005, they had no problems with our books. Told us it was at the bottom of the stack, and he did not have the time to go through them. Bye Bye Sabreliner 60

 

[SansPlane]

Must be nice we submitted Jan of 2005, they had no problems with our books. Told us it was at the bottom of the stack, and he did not have the time to go through them. Bye Bye Sabreliner 60

Dear Friends,

If this and other stories are true, you are not knocking on the right doors or making the right phone calls. I can assure you that someone in the government is there to help you when you hit such roadblocks. Having worked for a legislator I can also assure you that even the most inept legislators and their inept staff’s can make things happen. Even if you are the biggest a-hole and happen to be a huge donor to the other party (case example in hand), “someone” higher up the food chain will help you. You may have to call “Harvey” every week, but “Harvey” should be able to help you. Keep meticulous notes. That is especially important if “Harvey” is inept. If you don’t receive correspondence from “Harvey” or see some action in regard to the matter at hand within two weeks, keep the squeaky wheel going and move up the food chain. You have two representatives working for you, call them both. Once you have contacted them, share that information with the person who told you that your paperwork was at the bottom of the stack. The last thing most federal workers want is someone from a legislator’s office “enquiring” multiple times on behalf of their constituent. I have never worked with the FAA but every other agency that begins with an “F” works the same way.