GULFSTREAM Aerospace has selected Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) to supply systems for retrofit to Gulfstream II business jets, to enable operators to meet reduced vertical-separation minima (RVSM) regulations. RVSM rules are due to be introduced on North Atlantic routes in March 1997, and are likely to be extended to European and other airspace in the next five years.

RVSM rules reduce vertical separation between aircraft at certain flight levels from 2,000ft (600m) to 1,000ft, and require increased altimeter accuracy and redundancy. Operators of older business aircraft, airliners, freighters and military aircraft now using North Atlantic airspace face substantial upgrade costs (Flight International, 15-21 May).

Gulfstream is the launch customer for Malvern, Pennsylvania-based IS&S' RVSM kit, which consists of a digital air-data computer, dual barometric altimeters and Mach/airspeed indicators and an altitude alerter. Pressure transducers in the altimeters and airspeed indicators provide triplex redundancy, the company says.

Deliveries to Gulfstream begin later this year, for retrofit at its service centres. The company says that it is "-talking to just about everybody" who needs to meet RVSM rules.

Source: Flight International