RVSM
Transportation & Travel abbreviation · Aviation
| Stands for | Reduced vertical separation minimum |
|---|---|
| Categories | Transportation & Travel |
RVSM stands for Reduced vertical separation minimum, an aviation abbreviation.
Airspace standard that cuts the vertical separation between IFR aircraft from 2,000 feet to 1,000 feet between FL290 and FL410, adding six usable cruising levels. Operators and aircraft need specific approval, including highly accurate altimetry and autopilot altitude hold.
Example: Our Citation lost RVSM approval after the altimeter check failed, so we're capped at FL280.
Usage notes
Introduced over the North Atlantic in 1997, in Europe in 2002 and in US domestic airspace in January 2005. Before RVSM, aircraft above FL290 needed 2,000 feet of separation because altimeters were considered less accurate at high altitude. Non-approved aircraft may pass through RVSM airspace only with ATC permission.
Related abbreviations
More aviation abbreviations
- QNH – Altimeter setting giving altitude above mean sea level (Q code)
- RA – Resolution advisory
- RNAV – Area navigation
- RNP – Required navigation performance
- RPM – Revenue passenger miles
- RVR – Runway visual range
- SEL – Single-engine land
- SIC – Second in command
- SID – Standard instrument departure
- SIGMET – Significant meteorological information
- STA – Scheduled time of arrival
- STAR – Standard terminal arrival route