FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Navigation, Air Traffic Control and ProceduresHard
An airliner is cruising at FL350 in RVSM airspace. What is the standard vertical separation minimum ATC must maintain between this aircraft and another RVSM-approved aircraft operating between FL290 and FL410?
- A2,000 feet
- B500 feet
- C1,500 feet
- D1,000 feet
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 1,000 feet
Within Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace, between FL290 and FL410, ATC applies a vertical separation of 1,000 feet between properly equipped and approved aircraft, half of the traditional 2,000 feet used above FL410 or outside RVSM airspace.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 2,000 feet is the standard separation used outside RVSM airspace or above FL410.
- B. 500 feet is not used for standard en route vertical separation.
- C. 1,500 feet is not a standard vertical separation value.
RVSM Airspace
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace, from FL290 to FL410, allows 1,000 feet vertical separation between approved aircraft, doubling available flight levels and improving traffic flow.
- Applies between FL290 and FL410
- Requires special aircraft and crew authorization
- Vertical separation reduced from 2,000 ft to 1,000 ft
Memory trick: RVSM cuts the gap in half: 2,000 becomes 1,000