Sorry guys I WAS just kidding. Guess I need to use those little smiley faces.

All is forgiven then! ;)

(Sorry for my rant- I HAVE encountered several folks with that attitude... including one that ended up having a loss of separation due to crappy equipment). :eek:

I don't recommend zoom climbs in RVSM with TCAS equipped aircraft everywhere. Might get somebody hurt, or violated, or worse.

If he's at FL280 and the controller is trying to climb him through RVSM airspace, odds are good that the controller will want to get him up to FL430 as soon as possible...and I'm not sure a zoom climb works too well when you're looking to go up 15,000ft anyway.

In a CJ3, which climbs pretty well at altitude anyway, beginning a climb at FL280 and VMo should allow a sustained climb of at least 1500fpm (probably more) all the way to FL430.

When traffic is an issue for climbing, I like to tell ATC what climb rates we're capable of so that they can plan their separation accordingly - no surprises for anyone and once ATC knows what we can do it usually allows us to get a climb clearance.

The Military gets a a free pass. They are covered under one of the 5 exceptions to the rule. Another is when doing flight test for first time RVSM approval.

Not Quite Free..
 

We're not quite 'free:' we have to state negative-RVSM, and it is subject to controller approval/workload. That makes us the same as any other non-RVSM aircraft.

I try to show it to my students when we are cross-country, so they can learn the terminology, and see how the aircraft handles in the 30s (it's different; gets a little twitchy above FL320). I can get approval usually only once every 2-3 months.

Now, if it were for operational necessity (chasing somebody to stop an attack), all bets are off.

The military get's a pass with regards to needing to have prior approval through LOA. Officially, civilian non-RVSM aircraft must precoordinate operations in RVSM airspace prior to filing a flight plan or requesting access (including climbing above RVSM), however there is a lot of lee way given.

Military aircraft in RVSM airspace that don't have appropriate RVSM certified aircraft are subject to normal non-RVSM separation standards (2000' vertical).

New To Me
 

Josh:

I didn't know that distinction....thanks. I learned something today.

I can't find anything in the regulations that states you must precoordinate operations in RVSM prior to filing. In fact according to the AIM is specifically states: "file-and-fly" then request your transition.

It seems that you military guys have to deal with this all the time so I'm sure you know better than me. My plan is to file for FL430 and put "NEGATIVE RVSM" in the remarks. Once I'm with center I'll request FL430 Negative RVSM. I'll post tomorrow afternoon after I land to report how everything goes.

Here's what the AIM says:

4-6-11. Non-RVSM Aircraft Requesting Climb to and Descent from Flight Levels Above RVSM Airspace Without Intermediate Level Off

a. File-and-Fly. Operators of Non-RVSM aircraft climbing to and descending from RVSM flight levels should just file a flight plan.

b. Non-RVSM aircraft climbing to and descending from flight levels above RVSM airspace will be handled on a workload permitting basis. The vertical separation standard applied in RVSM airspace between non-RVSM aircraft and all other aircraft shall be 2,000 feet.

c. Non-RVSM aircraft climbing to/descending from RVSM airspace can only be considered for accommodation provided:

1. Aircraft is capable of a continuous climb/descent and does not need to level off at an intermediate altitude for any operational considerations and

2. Aircraft is capable of climb/descent at the normal rate for the aircraft.

d. Required Pilot Calls. The pilot of non-RVSM aircraft will inform the controller of the lack of RVSM approval in accordance with the direction provided in paragraph 4-6-8, Pilot/Controller Phraseology.