RVSM
Flight Testing, Certification and Avionics Upgrade

RVSM means the reduction of the vertical separation between two aircraft flying in RVSM airspace (FL 290 to 410) from 2000 ft to 1000 ft. All aircraft flying in the RVSM airspace need to be certified for RVSM. To obtain a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for RVSM operations from the national certifying authority, the accuracy of the altitude measurement systems need to fulfill special requirements depending on both the aircraft's construction date and the certification approach. This usually requires an upgrade of the aircraft's avionics equipment.

Aerodata Systems RVSM Services

• Avionics Upgrade
• Certification
• Flight testing
• Worldwide service
• Support of all type of aircraft

RVSM Requirements

The following requirements have to be fulfilled to get an RVSM STC:

• Two independent altitude measurement systems meeting the system error requirements.

• One automatic control system keeping the aircraft altitude within ±20 m (±65 ft).

• One altitude alert system with limits ±90 m (±300 ft).

• One secondary surveillance radar (SSR) altitude reporting transponder.

• RVSM compliant avionics configuration.

Aerodata Systems RVSM Process

Aerodata Systems offers a worldwide service to achieve RVSM airworthiness for all types of aircraft. Of particular interest are those aircraft types for which the manufacturer no longer provides any assistance.

Aerodata Systems can provide complete RVSM certification and upgrade services in cooperation with local partners:

• Evaluation of existing aircraft avionics configuration with regard to their RVSM compliance.

• Engineering design for an RVSM compliant avionics upgrade.

• Modification of aircraft and integration of RVSM compliant avionics systems.

• Development of a Flight Test Plan (FTP) for RVSM flight tests.

• Coordination of the FTP approval with any certification authority worldwide (FAA, DGAC, or any other CAA).

• Support by flight test engineers to integrate and operate the instrumentation (flight test with trailing cone).

• Post data processing.

• Skin waviness mapping for the continued airworthiness.

• Verification flight with GMU (GPS based Monitoring Unit) after RVSM avionics upgrade for RVSM verification, if applicable.

After this process is completed, Aerodata Systems provides the report to obtain the RVSM STC from the aviation authorities.