Nearly 6,000 business jet aircraft will need monitoring or modifications to take advantage of the new RVSM (reduced vertical separation minima) airspace that goes into effect over North America in 2005. ARINC Incorporated has announced it will offer all the services business jets need for RVSM certification-airframe modifications, flight monitoring, and the preparation of RVSM approval packages in the form of an aircraft manual. Complete RVSM support services are offered through ARINC Direct, a division of ARINC that provides comprehensive services to the business aviation market.

Using RVSM reduces fuel expenses and air traffic congestion by providing six new flight levels between 29,000 and 41,000 feet. The additional flight levels result from decreasing the required separation between flight levels from 2000 feet to 1000 feet. RVSM certification requires an accurate altimeter, which is tested during a monitoring flight and then approved by the FAA. The benefits of RVSM operation have been proved in the Europe/WATRS airspace-the world's most crowded-and in the North Atlantic and Asia/Pacific airspaces for several years.

ARINC recently expanded its FAA-certified Colorado Springs service facility to handle the demand for aircraft needing modifications in order to use RVSM. Modifications are needed by most business jets that are more than five years old, and by domestic commercial aircraft that are not already approved to operate in RVSM airspace. ARINC has also added staff in five other locations to streamline the RVSM process. It now offers RVSM monitoring from service facilities in Annapolis, MD, Chesapeake, VA, Oklahoma City, OK, Montreal, Canada, Colorado Springs, CO, and  San Diego, CA. RVSM engineering services are offered at the Colorado Springs and San Diego locations, including altimeter, transponder, altitude-reporting, and pitot-static testing in accordance with FAA guidelines.

"We're offering RVSM services closer to our business jet customers to maximize their convenience and reduce costs," stated David Poltorak, ARINC Vice President, Business Aviation Services. As a further service to flight departments and private operators, ARINC will prepare the RVSM approval packages required for RVSM airframes-either individually or under type certificates. ARINC has provided RVSM monitoring in Europe and for commercial aircraft for years. The company has flown nearly 3,500 RVSM flights since it began monitoring services in 1997.

"Expanding our RVSM services is part of part of ARINC's new focus on service to the business aviation community. ARINC Direct services include RVSM support, flight support services, affordable data link, SkyLinkSM broadband communications, and aircraft modification and maintenance services," said Poltorak. "We want business jet operators and flight departments to know they have a new alternative in flight support," he concluded.

Operators should contact their local state authority Flight Standards Office (FSDO) for authorization prior to scheduling an RVSM height monitoring flight with ARINC. ARINC does not approve aircraft or issue RVSM operator approval. Approval is granted by the appropriate state authorities.

FMI: www.arinc.com