Reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM): pre- and post-implementation safety cases

摘要

On 24 January 2002, the introduction of a Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the EUR RVSM Airspace provided six additional flight levels between 29,000 ft and 41,000 ft inclusive. This has been achieved by reducing the vertical separation minimum between aircraft from 2,000 ft to 1,000 ft. The EUR RVSM Programme - managed by EUROCONTROL on behalf of the participating States - has been implemented simultaneously in the airspace of 41 European and North African countries and was the biggest change in Europe's Airspace for 50 years. This paper outlines the different elements of the Pre- Implementation and Post-Implementation Safety Cases, such as the derivation of the requirements, the regulatory process and how Collision Risk Assessment, Functional Hazard Assessment and National Safety Planning combined together provide a conclusive argument that the concept of RVSM and its implementation are safe before and remain safe after introduction.