RVSM Assistance for Operators in South America and Caribbean

ARINC Incorporated has teamed with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to help aircraft operators in the Caribbean and South American flight region (CARSAM) achieve the compliance they will need for operation in RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) airspace.

IATA will help commercial and business aircraft operators obtain aircraft modifications and approvals, and ARINC will provide a broad range of aircraft services, along with convenient local RVSM monitoring from airports in the region, using new technology.

RVSM airspace, already used in Europe, saves time and fuel by permitting optimal flight paths in congested areas. North America will implement RVSM in January, 2005, and IATA has taken a leadership role in assisting the CARSAM Regional Monitoring Authority, CARSAMA, with implementation to meet the same schedule.

"IATA is proud to take a leadership role in RVSM implementation in the CARSAM region, and is very pleased to partner with ARINC, a company with extensive experience in RVSM," stated Peter Cerda, IATA's Regional Director of Safety, Operations & Infrastructure. "The combined talents of IATA and ARINC will provide customers with the highest quality RVSM information, as well as efficient, professional service."

ARINC will perform RVSM modifications either at customer locations in the CARSAM region, or at its FAA/JAA-certified repair station in Colorado Springs (CO). For CARSAM aircraft that are registered in the U.S., ARINC can also prepare the RVSM approval applications required by the FAA, supporting airworthiness of the aircraft, training of flight and maintenance crews, and correct RVSM maintenance practices.

ARINC now offers same-day/next-day scheduling of RVSM monitoring flights from 8 North American locations: San Francisco (SAN), Oklahoma City (OKC), Colorado Springs (COS), Toronto (YYZ), Baltimore and Washington (BWI/IAD), Virginia (SHD), and Miami (MIA). Many ARINC flight specialists are bilingual in Spanish and English for better service to customers from the CARSAM region.

IATA, the International Air Transport Association, represents over 270 airlines, comprising 98% of international scheduled air traffic.

FMI: www.arinc.com; www.iata.org