RVSM = More congestion @ FL270 and FL280?

[DrewBlows]

It seems to me that there is much more congestion at FL270 and FL280 since RVSM has taken effect, because of airplanes that are not equiped (yet). I have no statistics or published reports, just my observation as a pilot of a plane not yet equipped. Has anyone else noticed this or am I nuts? Also, how weird is it to hear "climb to flight level 320"?

 

[pilot error]

It seems to me that there is much more congestion at FL270 and FL280 since RVSM has taken effect, because of airplanes that are not equiped (yet). I have no statistics or published reports, just my observation as a pilot of a plane not yet equipped. Has anyone else noticed this or am I nuts? Also, how weird is it to hear "climb to flight level 320"?

would make sense. and not that weird, as most oceanic and european airspace have had rvsm for a long time now.

 

[Caveman]

Well, speaking as a CRJ pilot RVSM has opend up a whole new world of possibilities. It's no surprise that a CRJ with 'A" engines (IOW A CRJ100) has limited options above FL290 because of performance. The ability to head east at FL350 is nice because prior to RVSM we were limited to FL330 because we couldn't get to FL370.

 

[banned username 2]

RVSM is very nice, opens up a lot of opportunities... We don't spend much time in the RVSM airspace as we are usually above it... Two place we will benefit are FL400 going westbound (when too heavy for FL430) and FL390 Eastbound (when too heavy to initially go to FL410 in the 900EX on European non-stop trips)

 

[G100driver]

Any guys out there in non-RVSM airplanes using the airspace or transitioning through it on there way to FL430? Any difficulties?

 

[inline]

It is weird to get those bastard flight levels. Even weirder is to see that traffic passing over/under at 1000ft up in the flight levels.

 

[EMBPLT]

I have seen a lot of cool shots of opposite direction traffic recently b/c of RVSM. It is strange using the new flight levels and wake turbulence up high is always on my mind.

 

[cforst513]

i'm gonna play the role of the uneducated non-pilot. what is RVSM and what is so significant about it. what has changed regarding it lately that you guys are talking about?

 

[JetSpeed219]

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum. It lowered the vertical separation above flight level 290 from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet.......allows for higher capacity in the airspace....

 

[banned username 2]

i'm gonna play the role of the uneducated non-pilot. what is RVSM and what is so significant about it. what has changed regarding it lately that you guys are talking about?

Everything you want to know about Domestic RVSM: DRVSM-Domestic Reduced Separation Minimum

 

[Bandit60]

The thing I have noticed is that my climbs are more delayed then ever now. There is so much traffic in the 270-280 range that it makes it hard for the controllers to get us up into the airspace.

 

[IAHERJ]

It has worked very well from my perspective. The 717 can now use 350 Eastbound when to heavy for 370. I've flown the AR's North and South this week and have had the opportunity to take some nice shots of USAir 737's a few thousand feet above who would have a few weeks ago limited us to Mach .74 or less. We now can pass them at 33 or 34 without having to burn the extra fuel going lower to stay at normal speed. Same goes for the AirBus's that want to pass us on the same routes that we used to slow them down when they were at .81a nd we were operating an our economy of .77-.78.

IAHERJ

 

[guido411]

Any guys out there in non-RVSM airplanes using the airspace or transitioning through it on there way to FL430? Any difficulties?

Good question, can anybody elaborate on this?

I was flying along last week in RVSM and heard a request from an apparently older Lear that wanted to transition up to 450 but was non-RVSM. The controller didn't even seem to know if you can do this or not. He was not cleared through. Anybody know if it's POSSIBLE to get a clearance through RVSM?

Have you noticed that an airplane that is a few miles away from you and a 1000 feet below actually appears to be ABOVE you? Flippin weird man.

 

[fracflyer]

I heard a controller explain that a climb to the non-RVSM altitudes above 410 is possiable but very difficult to do . He said that he had to call ahead and get approval from every controller along your route to allow you to do it. Not very practical.

 

[Storm Chaser]

It is possible for a non-rsvm plane to get cleared through the airspace, but they have to be able to climb straight through it. Last week we got clearance through it with no problem at all, but that was going out west. I hear it may be a little more difficult out east.

 

[Capthuff]

Unfortunately our 2 LR31s havent got the paperwork yet so we are kinda stuck. What I have experienced is
North - South on the east coast is a problem to climb through it due to congestion.
East - West hasn't been much of a problem. We can climb straight to 430/450 and I have yet to be denied, however, I have had some delays/vectors for climb. Overall not bad though.

East bound it depends on your destination. As one poster mentioned, if one center (washington) wont accept you then sometimes other centers will have to bring you down early, or not let you up at all.

My boss tells me 2 weeks... I cant wait.
All our other planes are done. for some reason these 2 aren't.

Cappy

 

[Gearmunky]

Compliance is a virtue

At least your patient enough to wait. I met a friend of mine for dinner yesterday, and the night before he was talking to a Lear pilot, who said "I don't know what the big deal is with this RVSM stuff, I just came here at FL320 and we're not RVSM'd"

He about crapped a brick when he was informed that the ATC people have a list of all the tail#'s that are RVSM certified and it might not be a good idea to do it again.