ICAO Controller/Pilot Procedures for In-flight Contingencies Involving a Loss of Vertical Navigation Performance Required for Flight within EUR RVSM Airspace

[Reference: ICAO "Regional Supplementary Procedures for Europe" (Doc 7030)]

1. GENERAL

1.1 An in-flight contingency affecting flight in the EUR RVSM airspace pertains to unforeseen circumstances that directly impact on the ability of one or more aircraft to operate in accordance with the vertical navigation performance requirements of the EUR RVSM airspace. Such in-flight contingencies can result from degradation of aircraft equipment associated with height-keeping and from turbulent atmospheric conditions.

1.2 The pilot shall inform ATC as soon as possible of any circumstances where the vertical navigation performance requirements for the EUR RVSM airspace cannot be maintained. In such cases, the pilot shall obtain a revised ATC clearance prior to initiating any deviation from the cleared route and/or flight level, whenever possible. When a revised ATC clearance could not be obtained prior to such a deviation, the pilot shall obtain a revised clearance as soon as possible thereafter.

1.3 ATC shall render all possible assistance to a pilot experiencing an in-flight contingency. Subsequent ATC actions will be based on the intentions of the pilot, the overall air traffic situation and the real-time dynamics of the contingency.

2. DEGRADATION OF AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT - PILOT REPORTED

2.1 When informed by the pilot of an RVSM approved aircraft operating in the EUR RVSM airspace that the aircraft's equipment no longer meets the RVSM MASPS, ATC shall consider the aircraft as non-RVSM approved.

2.2 ATC shall take action immediately to provide a minimum vertical separation of 600 m (2 000 ft) or an appropriate horizontal separation from all other aircraft concerned that are operating in the EUR RVSM airspace. An aircraft rendered non-RVSM approved shall normally be cleared out of the EUR RVSM airspace by ATC when it is possible to do so.

2.3 Pilots shall inform ATC, as soon as practicable, of any restoration of the proper functioning of equipment required to meet the RVSM MASPS.

2.4 The first ACC/UAC to become aware of a change in an aircraft's RVSM status shall coordinate with adjacent ACCs/UACs, as appropriate.

3. SEVERE TURBULENCE - NOT FORECAST

3.1 When an aircraft operating in the EUR RVSM airspace encounters severe turbulence due to weather or wake vortex that the pilot believes will impact the aircraft's capability to maintain its cleared flight level, the pilot shall inform ATC. ATC shall establish either an appropriate horizontal separation or an increased minimum vertical separation.

3.2 ATC shall, to the extent possible, accommodate pilot requests for flight level and/or route changes and shall pass on traffic information as required.

3.3 ATC shall solicit reports from other aircraft to determine whether RVSM should be suspended entirely or within a specific flight level band and/or area.

3.4 The ACC/UAC suspending RVSM shall coordinate such suspension(s) and any required adjustments to sector capacities with adjacent ACCs/UACs, as appropriate, to ensure an orderly progression to the transfer of traffic.

4. SEVERE TURBULENCE - FORECAST

4.1 When a meteorological forecast is predicting severe turbulence within the EUR RVSM airspace, ATC shall determine whether RVSM should be suspended and, if so, the period of time and specific flight level(s) and/or area.

4.2 In cases where RVSM will be suspended, the ACC/UAC suspending RVSM shall coordinate with adjacent ACCs/UACs with regard to the flight levels appropriate for the transfer of traffic, unless a contingency flight level allocation scheme has been determined by letter of agreement. The ACC/UAC suspending RVSM shall also coordinate applicable sector capacities with adjacent ACCs/UACs as appropriate.

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