AVIA AERO is a provider of RVSM
(Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) services monitoring which specializes in conducting monitoring flights to verify an aircraft’s ability to maintain accurate altitude within RVSM airspace, using a portable GPS-based monitoring unit to collect data during a dedicated flight and then submitting the results to the relevant Regional Monitoring Authority (RMA) for review and approval; essentially ensuring an aircraft is compliant to operate in reduced vertical separation airspace.
Funtion: perform monitoring flights on behalf of aircraft operators to assess the accuracy of their altitude-keeping systems.
The collected data is then processed and submitted to the appropriate Regional Monitoring Agency (RMA) to calculate the aircraft’s Altimetry System Error (ASE).
An operator must meet the minimum monitoring requirements for their aircraft as established by their respective State authorities to maintain their RVSM approval
RVSM Monitoring is the method to confirm height- keeping performance of aircraft for Air Traffic Control (ATC) to maintain safety in reduced vertical separation. The actual altitude (not the pressure altitude flown) is not observable by both the pilots and ATC so the RVSM Monitoring test samples the aircraft performance using GPS height and altitude and compares it with the pressure altitude flown. If the aircraft performs with in the safety tolerance for altitude vertical error, the aircraft is considered RVSM Approved.
ADSB Out
My aircraft is equipped with ADS-B Out, do I still need to perform an RVSM Monitoring Flight test? FAA information on ADS-B
The answer for North America is yes, after you have ADS-B installed in your aircraft, you currently still need to perform a separate RVSM Monitoring flight test to remain in compliance. You must perform the test if your aircraft is at either 1,000 flight hours since the last RVSM Monitoring test or it has been 2 years since the last RVSM Monitoring flight test (whichever period is longer). This RVSM Monitoring requirement is expected to change after January 2020 to RVSM Monitoring required every 2 years (removing the 1,000 flight hours option) and this article will be updated when more is known.
You must also satisfy the RVSM monitoring requirement by some other method (method other than ADS-B Out — AGHME ground station overflight or E2GMU test flight) 24 months prior to installation of the ADS-B Out system.
Before you equip ADS-B Out, make sure you are current with the RVSM Monitoring flight test in the past 24 months prior to the installation.
After you have ADS-B installed in your aircraft, you currently still need to perform a separate RVSM Monitoring flight test to remain in compliance.
No Pre-Planning is required for RVSM Monitoring flights with ADS-B Version 2 equipage — the ADS-B flight data is automatically recorded and processed for Altimetry System Error. You must, however, complete the ADS-B RVSM Monitoring request form for your aircraft data to be monitored https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/separation_standards/naarmo. Any aircraft flying within US ADS-B Rule airspace is automatically monitored.
RVSM Monitoring supports
RVSM Monitoring supports the safety assessment and safety oversight function that is required with the implementation of RVSM Airspace. Aircraft operators wishing to utilize RVSM Airspace must comply with the safety requirements required for reduced vertical separation minima and pass height keeping performance safety checks. See FAA Advisory Circular 91–85 linked below for more information.
In order to maintain RVSM approval status, all aircraft approved for RVSM operations must complete an RVSM monitoring flight every two (2) years or 1,000 flight hours (whichever period is longer).
What are my options for performing an RVSM Monitoring test for my aircraft?
Aircraft can be monitored for RVSM by overflying a ground-based monitoring station (such as the US AGHME) or flying an RVSM profile with portable test equipment onboard, such as an E2GMU. Aircraft not equipped with a Mode S transponder must complete an E2GMU monitoring flight.
Europe, North, Central
and South America
RVSM Technical Center
The FAA Technical Center calculates the altimetry system error (ASE) rating which is then used to determine RVSM airspace certification. Avia Aero also works closely with the Caribbean and South American Monitoring Agency (CARSAMMA) and sends GMU altimetry data for processing.
Monitoring process
The monitoring flight requires approximately 30 minutes of straight and level flight between FL290 and FL410. Our specialized staff then processes the collected data by applying differential corrections to GMU’s raw GPS flight data and then sends it to the FAA Technical Center for review.
RVSM Height Monitoring Services
An AVIA AERO RVSM specialist will bring the portable GMU, which is about the size of a briefcase, on board the aircraft prior to the flight. Dual GPS antennas are installed with suction cups on cabin or cockpit windows to acquire GPS satellite telemetry.