Confirmation of RVSM flight levels over GMMM airspace

[Juan Del Olmo 857991]

I never had any doubt in my mind about the RVSM flight levels applicable in Europe (including Morocco in this particular

case) until today when a controller in GMMM_CTR instructs me to change my current Flight level from FL380 to FL390.

I was cruising in an A330-200 (RVSM equipped) inside GMMM FIR at FL380 heading 200º on a LFPG-GUCY flight.

 

According to VATEUD-TD the RVSM flight levels for the sector 180-359º (the one I was flying) are 140,160,180,200,...340,360,380,400,430 etc... but not FL390 in any case which is a 000-179º RVSM flight level.The controller was

arguing that I was flying southbound and must go up to FL390 in RVSM, in total contradiction to the VATEUD-TD and other

sources that I have consulted.

 

My question is, has been modified the 180-359º rule and I missed it? or is Morocco airspace an exception to the rule? or

simply my controller was absent minded?

 

Would appreciate the Forum clarification about this point

Juan

[Daniel Gustin 940540]

Hi Juan,

 

I'm not sure about this however I can shed some light on this issue.

 

From my experience (not a whole lot), there are exceptions to this rule and Italy is a prime example. In Italy, they do not base their flight levels on West/East but rather North/South. I get pilots change altitudes at the Italy/Croatia border all the time because of this exception.

 

Maybe GMMM is an area similar to Italy where the FLs are on North/South.

 

As for RVSM, there is a page on the ICAO website that'll show you all RVSM cert'd airspaces. Keep in mind that not everything is updated on the Vateud-TD website. I'm sure that someone will come along with this website.

 

Cheers,

[Daniel Gomes]

In Italy, they do not base their flight levels on West/East but rather North/South.

 

Hello,

 

Not only Italy. Portugal, Spain and France will also base their flight-levels on a North/South basis as you can see

HERE for the Portuguese case.

 

Cheers,

[Juan Del Olmo 857991]

Hello Daniel,

 

Thank you for your reply and information.I know that in some countries the north/south rule is applicable instead of the standard east/west.This is in effect in Spain and I believe in France as well and like you said also in Italy but I didnt hear about Morocco.

I will have a look at the ICAO website to try and find an explanation since I dont like to have an argument every time I overfly that FIR under ATC coverage.

 

Rgds

Juan del Olmo

[Daniel Gomes]

Hello Juan,

 

Take a look HERE

 

You will find what you need.....

 

Cheers,

[Juan Del Olmo 857991]

hello Daniel,

 

I think this link covers all the information I was looking for.As soos as I get back home I will look into it.

Again thank you very much Daniel ,you solved my problem.

 

Best rgds

Juan

[Daniel Gustin 940540]

That is just a tad bit confusing.....

[Thomas Mathieu 998318]

RVSM flight levels for Central Africa are different as well:

 

DIRECTION

Reduced Vertical Seperation Minima (RVSM)

NO RVSM ABOVE FL310

 

East to West 180-359 Degrees FL100, FL120, FL140, FL160, FL180, FL200, FL220, FL240, FL260, FL280, FL300 FL350, FL390, FL430

West to East 000-179 Degrees FL110, FL130, FL150, FL170, FL190, FL210, FL230, FL, 250, FL270, FL290 FL330, FL370, FL410

 

Regards.

Tom

[Juan Del Olmo 857991]

Thanks for the information Tom.I think it is a good idea to gather all these data to avoid

last minute searches at different places and save time when making a flight plan or considering

a particular route.I dont know whether the major flight planners have been programmed to take

account of all these exceptions.

 

Rgds

Juan

[Thomas Mathieu 998318]

Thanks for the information Tom.I think it is a good idea to gather all these data to avoid

last minute searches at different places and save time when making a flight plan or considering

a particular route.

 

No problem I plan my routes with the FL of my departure airport. If a Center changes my FL enroute, I gladly comply without argument while in "his/her" airspace and then resume filed FL when I get out of the airspace if it complys with ICAO standards until I meet the next controller.

 

Cheers

Tom

[Richard Ronhovde 1001599]

Worth Mantioning is that Above RVSM 2000 FT Seperations Applay.

 

 

EAST: FL450, FL490, FL530,

WEST: FL430, FL470, FL510,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Thomas Mathieu 998318]

Africa will be changing to RVSM on the 25th of September...see this thread: http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?p=256574#256574