Gulfstream Aerospace has gained approval for reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) operations with its Gulfstream V long-range business jet. The GIII and GIV have already been approved. Gulfstream says RVSM flight-testing of the earlier GII has been completed and approval is pending.
RVSM increases airspace capacity by reducing the vertical separation between aircraft flying in different directions from 2,000ft to 1,000ft (610-305m). The concept is in use over the North Atlantic and initial RVSM routes over the Pacific are to open in February.
Aircraft can enter airspace reserved for RVSM operations only if they meet stringent requirements on altimeter accuracy and reliability. Gulfstream says that approval of the GV involved test flights of 16 different aircraft to establish altimetry performance.
Although the GV normally crosses the Atlantic above the airspace reserved for RVSM operations, Gulfstream says operators want the capability because RVSM is to be introduced into European airspace by January 2002 and in US airspace in 2003-4.
Source: Flight International
