'RVSM - A Global Asset; The Pilot's View of RVSM Implementation'

摘要

The International Federation of Airline Pilot Associations (IFALPA) and ALPA, International (representing US and Canadian pilots) have some difficulty with the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that the FAA has circulated for Domestic RVSM. The main points of non-concurrence involve the following: single source altimeters, lack of defined contingency procedures to handle non-participants, weather and turbulence considerations. We have communicated our objections to the FAA team and anticipate a successful resolution of these issues prior to implementation. No single individual has been more instrumental in bringing the global RVSM program to the cusp of fruition than Roy Grimes of the United States FAA. Mr. Grimes is by far, the "man to go to" for working the issues and landmines embedded within a very complex program. Global air traffic service providers owe Roy Grimes a debt for his unwavering, intelligent problem solving that has taken RVSM from a glean in the flinty eyes of some long retired ATA political lobbyist and transformed it into not only a capacity enhancing technique, but also a major safety initiative. If "...success has many fathers" then Roy Grimes stands at the head of an illustrious line. We believe that the "Grimes Team" will continue to probe, analyze, and respond to IFALPA's concerns regarding DRVSM. We believe in the process and will seek accommodations through it. It takes careful consideration of the "other fellow's" point of view to find the "most right" answers. We intend to work with the regulators to make RVSM in all of its guises as safe as it possibly can be.