Tongue in cheek... Guess that let's you get there faster and hold longer. Al ----- Original Message ----- From: <SWARDFOTO@aol.com> To: <AIRLINE@LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU> Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 9:56 AM Subject: Re: ATC Question > RVSM stands for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum. > > Under normal IFR rules, westbound flights fly at flight levels 310, 350, 390, > etc. (4,000 ft separation). Eastbound flights fly at flight levels 330, 370, > 410 (again 4,000 ft separation). Combining the westbound and eastbound > flight levels, all aircraft should maintain a minimum of 2000 ft vertical > separation (310, 330, 350, 370, 390, 410). > > Under RVSM rules, this 2000 ft vertical separation is reduced to 1000 > vertical separation. This is already in place in the North Atlantic (NAT > Track System), Pacific and within Eurocontrol (European) airspace. > > The purpose is to allow more traffic within the same airspace by reducing the > amount of vertical separation. > > I hope this helps. > > sward >