Vertical, lateral separations based on time / distance

Need for Separation Whether aircraft actually need separating depends upon the class of airspace in which the aircraft are flying, The flight rules under which the pilot is operating the aircraft

Vertical Separation between aircrafts Vertical Separation-obtained by the aircraft by the altimeter setting in terms of flight levels; Between the surface and an altitude of 29,000 feet (8,800 m), no aircraft come closer vertically than 1,000 feet or 300 meters unless some form of horizontal separation is provided Above 29,000 feet (8,800 m) no aircraft shall come closer than 2,000 feet (or 600 m), except in airspace where Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) can be applied Horizontal separation-Lateral and Longitudinal

Vertical Separation • Standard – 1000’ up to FL290 – 2000’ at or above FL290 – 5000’ at or above FL600

Horizontal Separation between Aircrafts If any two aircraft separated by less than the vertical separation minimum, then some form of horizontal separation exist. Lateral separation minima are usually based upon the position of the aircraft as derived visually, from dead reckoning or internal navigation sources, or from radio navigation aids Lateral separation be defined by the geography of pre-determined routes- example North Atlantic Track system

Conventional Vertical Separation Minimum “Vertical separation minimum between IFR traffic shall be a nominal 1000 ft below an altitude of 29000 ft Or flight level 290 and a nominal 2000 ft at or above this level, Except where, on the basis of regional air navigation agreements, a lower level is prescribed for the change to a nominal 2000 ft vertical separation

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum An important objective to improve airspace capacity in the CAR/SAM regions. RVSM will enable the application of a 1,000-ft vertical separation minimum between duly-equipped aircraft in the fl 290 - fl 410 flight band Increase capacity through the introduction of these six additional flight levels, to reduce controller workload while maintaining, or even improving, current levels of safety

RVSM Airspace Airspace between FL 290 and FL 410, both inclusive, in the following Flight Information Regions (FIRs)/Upper Flight Information Regions (UIRs) RVSM from FL330 to FL410 in the Kolkata, Chennai Delhi and Mumbai FIRs, to allow domestic traffic that were not RVSM-approved to continue to operate at FL310 and below.

Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) 1000’ from FL290 to FL 410 First introduced over Oceanic Airspace Introduced over Domestic US (and internationally) on 1/20/05 (DRVSM) – Cruise operation within D/RVSM airspace requires specific avionics (more accurate altimetry and collision avoidance system), plus pilot training – ATC can grant exceptions to these requirements for transit through RVSM airspace to

Benefits of RVSM Increased ATC capacity-RVSM will reduce controller workload.capacity of these simulated sectors could increase by a significant percentage--almost 20%, approximately--as compared to the Conventional Vertical Separation Minima (CVSM) Optimum route profiles-Availability of six additional flight levels in the busiest level band will allow operators to plan for, operate at, or closer to, the optimum vertical route profile for each aircraft type.

Performance Based Navigation RNAV -Area Navigation-Standard Instrument Departures (Sides)/Standard Terminal Arrivals (Stars); Routes, Global Positioning System (GPS) MinimumEnroute Altitudes (MEAs; Continuous Descent Arrival CDA)/Optimized ProfileDescent (OPD) RNP Required Navigation Performance-Special Aircraft and Aircrew Authorization Required(SAAAR) [will be changing to AR – Authorization Required]

Non Radar Separation Same Course & Crossing Course In areas of insufficient radar coverage, ‘manual' separation rules apply for airport departures/arrivals and enroute flights. DME separation example: with slower speed aircraft behind, use pilot reported positions from DME (Distance Measurement Equipment) readings

Minimum for Same Course Separation

Minima for Crossing Course Separation

Enroute Radar Air separation Flights must be separated from other sectors and Special Use Airspace. En route Stage A/DARC or Stage A/EDARC: (a) Below Flight Level 600− 2 1/2 miles. (b) Flight Level 600 and above− 5 miles. • Military Operating Areas • Prohibited Area • Restricted Area • Warning Area