Rules of the Air

Lecture 8
Semi-Circular Flight Level Rules and
RVSM
Introduction
• The semi-circular rule is the basic rule for flight level or altitude
selection in function of the aircraft heading in order to ensure basic
vertical separation.
Odd and Even Flight Levels
• For answering to the need of flight level separation between the same
types of flight, flight levels have been separated in two categories: the
even and the odd flight level:
• Even flight level: the last number before the final number 0 shall be even: FL
40, FL 60, FL 120…
• Odd flight level: the last number before the final number 0 shall be even: FL
50, FL 70, FL 130
RVSM
• This semi-circular defines the available flight levels in the
conventional airspace and also in the reduced vertical separation
airspace (RVSM) when applicable between FL290 and FL410.
Default worldwide semi-circular rule
For IFR Flights
• The default worldwide semi-circular rule is the East/West orientation
of the flight level parity:
• Your aircraft has track between 0° and 179°, your flight level or altitude must
be odd.
• Your aircraft has track between 180° and 359°, your flight level or altitude
must be even
• By following the semi-circular rule, an IFR aircraft will limit possible
conflicts between another aircraft coming in opposite direction with
providing 1000ft separation between opposite west/east tracks.
For VFR Flights
• The default worldwide semi-circular rule is the East/West orientation of
the flight level parity:
• Your aircraft has track between 0° and 179°, your flight level or altitude must be
odd.
• Your aircraft has track between 180° and 359°, your flight level or altitude must
be even
• By following the semi-circular rule, a VFR aircraft will limit possible
conflicts between another aircraft coming in opposite direction with
providing 1000ft separation between opposite west/east tracks.
• The VFR rules of flight level and/or altitude selection is the same like IFR
ones with adding 500ft to all levels.
Specific Semi-Circular Rule
North/South Rule
• In some countries due to the IFR route or special regulations set by
the local administration, the semi-circular rule can be the
North/South orientation of the flight level parity:
• Your aircraft has track between 90° and 269°, your flight level or
altitude must be odd
• Your aircraft has track between 270° and 359° & between 0° and 89°,
your flight level or altitude must be even.
Mix of Rules
• In some countries, (for example France), the default semi-circular rule
is the east/west orientation, but national regulations publish fixed
orientation of the airways that cancel the semi-circular rule where the
route orientation is published.
• The orientation can deviate from the default definition.
• Example: In France, 95% of the airway parities are oriented
North/South whenever the basic semi-circular rule is East/West.
List of Available Flight Level and Altitude
(in feet)
In Airspace Below FL290 (in feet)
In RVSM Airspace Between FL290 and
FL410 (in feet)
• Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) reduces the vertical
separation above FL 290 and below FL410 to 1,000 ft.
• This allows aircraft to safely fly more optimum routes, gain fuel
savings and increase airspace capacity by adding new flight levels.
• In areas where feet are used for altitude and where, in accordance
with regional air navigation agreements, a vertical separation
minimum of 1000 feet is applied between FL290 and FL410 inclusive.
In Non-RVSM Airspace Between FL290 and
FL410 (in feet)
• If your airspace is non-RVSM airspace, a vertical separation minimum
of 2000 feet is applied between FL290 and FL410 inclusive.
• For the level below FL290 and above FL410, you must select the flight
level according the table in RVSM airspace.
Special VFR (SFVR)
• In a controlled aerodrome, the air traffic controller can issue a special VFR
clearance to an aircraft, which is below the VMC minima in his controlled
zone, in order to let him reach a new zone where the weather conditions
follow the VMC rules.
• Special VFR clearance use depends on your local regulation (ATS authority):
• This type of clearance can be forbidden in some countries or on some
airfields.
• Flight visibilities reduced to not less than 1500m (clear of clouds) is
permitted for special VFR flights at speeds that give adequate opportunity
to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision.
Distress and Urgency Signals
• Distress – A condition of being threatened by grave and/or imminent
danger and requiring immediate assistance
• Urgency – A condition concerning the safety of an aircraft or other
vehicle, or of someone on board or within sight, but which does not
require immediate assistance
• Frequencies to be used:
• Air to ground frequency in use at the time
• If unable to establish communication on frequency in use:
• Repeat message on 121.5 MHz
• Or any other frequency available
• Distress Call
• Mayday Mayday Mayday
• Can be transmitted by aircraft in distress or any station aware that an aircraft
ship or vehicle is in distress
• Has absolute priority
• Distress:
• Repetition of distress message
• Action of station in distress
• Actions by other stations
• Imposition of Silence
• Cancelation of distress
Format of Distress Message:
• Distress signal
• Call sign x3
• Location
• Altitude
• Nature of distress and kind of assistance required
• Intentions of PIC
• Souls on board
Urgency Call
• Urgency Call:
• PanPan PanPan PanPan
• Addressed to all stations
• Acknowledged by whoever receives it, they in turn relay it to air traffic service unit,
airport operating agency, or its representative
• Format of Urgency Message:
• Distress signal
• Call sign x1
• Location
• Altitude
• Nature of situation/ if assistance is needed
• Intentions of PIC
Questions?