Thomas Paul's Blog

RVSM stands for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum . It refers to specific airspace where the vertical separation between aircraft flying at high altitudes is reduced from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet. This allows more aircraft to safely fly at fuel-efficient altitudes. The purpose of RVSM airspace and requirements is that at higher altitudes, standard altimetry systems may not be sufficiently accurate for 1000-foot separation. Photo by Masood Aslami on Unsplash RVSM is used around the world, and Canada is no exception. You’ll often hear “RVSM airspace” mentioned during pilot training or in operational briefings. Where is RVSM Airspace? In Canada, RVSM airspace generally includes altitudes between FL290 and FL410 inclusive . The United States and most of the world apply similar limits. Why Do We Use RVSM? The primary benefit of RVSM is airspace efficiency . Without RVSM, aircraft operating between FL290 and FL410 would need 2,000 feet of vertical separation. This limits the number of ava...