FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)Flight Planning and PerformanceMedium
A dispatcher is flight planning a route that transits Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace between FL290 and FL410. Assuming the aircraft is properly certified, what vertical separation minimum applies between aircraft in this airspace?
- A1,000 feet
- B1,500 feet
- C500 feet
- D2,000 feet
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 1,000 feet
RVSM reduces the standard 2,000-foot vertical separation to 1,000 feet between FL290 and FL410 for properly certified and monitored aircraft, effectively doubling airspace capacity in this altitude band.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 1,500 feet is not a standard separation value.
- C. 500 feet is not used in RVSM airspace.
- D. 2,000 feet is the pre-RVSM (non-RVSM) separation standard.
RVSM Airspace
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum airspace allows 1,000-foot vertical separation between FL290 and FL410 for certified aircraft, doubling available cruise altitudes.
- Applies FL290–FL410
- Requires RVSM aircraft certification
- Reduces separation from 2,000 ft to 1,000 ft
Memory trick: 'RVSM splits the sky in half' — 2,000 becomes 1,000.