You have completed your RVSM Monitoring test flight, what happens next?
Here we will give you the most likely outcomes depending on what type of monitoring service you used: ground based or portable device monitoring.
Using Ground Based RVSM Monitoring
If you have flown over the North American ground system, known as the AGHME (Aircraft Geometric Height Measurement Element), you can check the website listed below for your aircraft test result after about 4–6 weeks.
To check for your aircraft result, use the links to open the monitoring results document in your choice of Adobe PDF or Microsoft Excel. Next, search for your aircraft registration.
If your AGHME RVSM Monitoring test was successful, you will see a date under the column “Last successful AGHME Monitoring.” If you don’t see a date or your aircraft is not listed, there may have been an issue capturing your flight data and you may need another flight over the AGHME.
Consult the locations page below for more information on the system uptime and best practices for recording your flight for each location.
Using Portable RVSM GPS based Monitoring Devices
If you used an RVSM Monitoring Services Contractor with a portable RVSM Monitoring Device installed inside your aircraft to record performance data, your RVSM Monitoring Service Contractor should coordinate the flight data to the Regional Monitoring Agency on your behalf and keep you informed on your flight test status.
Our customers need responsive customer service.
As an RVSM Monitoring Services Contractor, CSSI, Inc. RVSM has supported more than 20,000 RVSM Monitoring flights.
Our customers decide to use our CSSI RVSM Monitoring Toolkits and Services for many reasons:
- Our customers may require an RVSM Monitoring flight test be conducted in a flight region that is not being served by a ground based AGHME system.
- The aircraft cannot use the AGHME because it is not MODE S equipped.
- The AGHME system has not satisfied their testing needs.
- Our customers may desire a custom test service that is on demand and flexible to their operating schedule.
- Our customers may require the RVSM Monitoring testing technician to meet them at an empty leg location.
- Documentation that the aircraft performed the RVSM Monitoring flight.
- Timely feedback that the RVSM Monitoring test was successful.
- Our customers need responsive customer service.
For the RVSM monitoring flight, CSSI RVSM service collects the necessary flight performance data captured on our portable device using a GPS based monitoring system (GMS) toolkit. The toolkit will collect GPS and MODE C data independent from aircraft systems.
The GMS RVSM monitoring process follows these steps:
- Data is collected on the aircraft performance flying an RVSM monitoring flight using our CSSI GMS monitoring tool,
- After landing, the flight data is transferred from the toolkit (over Wi-Fi) to CSSI for data analysis and quality control,
- CSSI RVSM will perform GPS software corrections for accuracy enhancement,
- Finally, CSSI RVSM will transfer the data to your Regional Monitoring Agency for final (ASE) Altimetry System Error Calculation. Usually this process is completed within two (2) business days.
- CSSI RVSM will provide documentation on the Regional Monitoring Agency’s RVSM Monitoring flight tracking number.
- Ten (10) to 15 business days after the flight, CSSI RVSM will have access to the Regional Monitoring Agency’s final ASE result. We can then provide our customer with an unofficial ASE value and pass/fail status report. The customer can use the Regional Monitoring Agency flight tracking number to contact their Regional Monitoring Agency for official documentation, if necessary.
CSSI RVSM can only provide unofficial results due to fact that we are a contractor and not a Regional Monitoring Agency. The memo documentation from CSSI however will provide the contact information necessary to obtain the official result on the Regional Monitoring Agency’s website. The information provided in the CSSI memos can also be used as a reference to the state authority to successfully query the ASE result.
Should you have any issues with RVSM approval, CSSI RVSM stands by to assist you. We take pride in having a great working relationship with our Regional Monitoring Agency contacts and leveraging our regulatory expertise for our customers.
The Regional Monitoring Agency and Calculating Altimetry System Error (ASE)
After the RVSM Monitoring flight data is transferred to the Regional Monitoring Agency from either monitoring method (a ground based RVSM Monitoring flight or a flight with a portable recording device), the Regional Monitoring Agency will calculate the Altimetry System Error (ASE) and determine if the aircraft is performing within the RVSM target level of safety.
The Altimetry System Error (ASE) can only be determined by the Regional Monitoring Agency. The pilot nor the air traffic control can see it! Standard ground equipment cannot reveal all the error components since ASE is impacted by dynamic conditions, such as aircraft loading and cruising speed.
For more information on RVSM and how ASE work, see this article:
If an aircraft has an excessive ASE value, neither the pilot nor the ATC will be able to detect the error since the altimeters will indicate “on level flight.” Unfortunately for safety, the aircraft could be drifting and flying significantly lower or higher than indicated by the pressure altitude available to the pilot and ATC.
If the RVSM Monitoring test result shows the aircraft ASE value is outside the acceptable target level of safety, the aircraft will be specified as “not RVSM compliant.” If that happens, the aircraft will likely require additional maintenance to correct the problem followed by another RVSM monitoring flight test for confirmation.
The Regional Monitoring Agency performs a policing function in this way to maintain the RVSM airspace safety standards and confirm that the RVSM implementation has not been considered to impact overall airspace safety.
Only aircraft that have produced passing ASE values are permitted to operate within RVSM airspace (FL290-FL410 inclusive). All of the aircraft operating in RVSM flight levels should have undergone and passed the same RVSM monitoring safety and maintenance checks and therefore they are considered safe to fly in reduced vertical separation airspace anywhere in the world!
You can find more information on your Regional Monitoring Agency and their website in this article:
The Long-Term RVSM Monitoring Requirement
This last section is the long-term RVSM monitoring requirement and it’s fairly simple:
RVSM Monitoring should be completed every 2 years or 1,000 flight hours (whichever is the greater period).
If you want to continue your RVSM Approval, you will need to perform the test about every 2 years if you frequently use the aircraft. For most North American operators this requirement is already being satisfied through normal operation with routine flights over a ground based RVSM monitoring system.
You can use the Regional Monitoring Agency article linked above to find your last RVSM Monitoring date.
About CSSI, Inc.
CSSI RVSM has proudly served the world’s RVSM monitoring needs since July 1999, having supported over 20,000 monitoring flights worldwide. CSSI RVSM is ready to help you complete the RVSM monitoring flight required to maintain RVSM approval for your aircraft.
CSSI RVSM also offers the E2GMU portable aircraft RVSM Monitoring toolkits for sale to aviation industry partners for on demand flight testing. Contact CSSI for a quote today.
Contact CSSI RVSM at link below!
