cstorey wrote:For those of us who are even more antique than the 1-11,and whose flying experience was with steam radio, , what please is RVSM?
Chris ( 1945 to just about now or a little more I hope)
Hi Chris,
From Wikipedia
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum or RVSM reduces the vertical separation above FL 290 from 2000 ft. to 1000 ft. This allows aircraft to safely fly more optimum routes, gain fuel savings and increase airspace capacity by adding six new flight levels. Only aircraft that have been certified to meet RVSM standards, with several exclusions, are allowed to fly in RVSM airspace. RVSM went into effect in Europe between FL 290 and FL 410 on January 24, 2002. The United States, Canada and Mexico transitioned to RVSM between FL 290 and FL 410 on January 20, 2005.
Track 000 to 179° - odd thousands (FL 290, 310, 330, etc.)
Track 180 to 359° - even thousands (FL 300, 320, 340, etc.)
At FL 410 and above, 4000 ft. intervals are resumed to separate same-direction aircraft and only odd Flight Levels are assigned, depending on the direction of flight:
Track 000 to 179° - odd flight levels (FL 410, 450, 490, etc.)
Track 180 to 359° - odd flight levels (FL 430, 470, 510, etc.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_level
Rgds
John