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