Ready?

The word went out Thursday: the FAA has affirmed the mandatory compliance date for Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation (DRVSM) as January 20, 2005. This approved ruling requires that all aircraft flying in the airspace between 29,000 ft and 41,000 feet must be equipped with specially certified high accuracy altitude measuring systems. The FAA announcement cites that the cost of implementation by airline and general aviation segments will be approximately $870 million; however, fuel savings alone through 2016 will be six times the cost, saving $5.3 billion.

The FAA estimated that 44% of the affected aircraft or 3,900 aircraft had been made compliant leaving approximately 4,900 yet to be modified and tested.

The DRVSM mandate reduces the separation between aircraft flying between 29,000 and 41,000 ft from 2,000 ft to 1,000 ft. Safety considerations mandate the use of higher accuracy altitude measurement and control systems and testing of all aircraft to high maintenance standards. Reducing the separation between aircraft virtually doubles the available space where 90% of airlines and Business Jets operate. This rule is intended reduce congestion and to provide for future traffic growth. Significant fuel savings and associated reduction in greenhouse gases are realized by allowing aircraft to climb to higher cruising altitudes more quickly, where fuel consumption is lower and more efficient routing.

Beginning January 20, 2005 the government will reduce the minimum vertical separation standard on domestic routes from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet for all aircraft flying between 29,000 feet and 41,000 feet. This change is intended to alleviate congestion in high traffic corridors in the eastern and western US as well as around Chicago. Reduced fuel consumption from more efficient routing will provide ongoing savings to the industry. The ruling will enhance the overall effectiveness of domestic air travel and provide greater aviation safety at the same time.

This RVSM standard has already been mandated in the air space over the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans as well as in Europe and Australia.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.usdrvsm.com