FAQs

All operators are required to participate in the regional monitoring program as per ICAO Annex 6 part 1. This participation usually means an operator will need to monitor individual aircraft of each type that they operate based on the Minimum Monitoring Requirement time table (ICAO/RMA MMR table).

Every 24 months or 1000 flight hours

Height monitoring flights may be conducted during scheduled, ferry or special monitor flights - Data will be collected for at least 30 minutes during straight and level flight between flight levels 290 & 410 - Data collected outside of RVSM levels CANNOT be used for RVSM certification - Altimetry System Error Calculation will not use data where aircraft turns occur. RVSM data must be straight and level flight, as much as possible. Data on circle‐track flights will be invalid for RVSM purposes. - Altimetry System Error Calculation will not use data where GPS position quality is degraded, or GPS signal is lost. Collecting a minimum of 30 minutes should provide enough data to eliminate inconsistencies. - Two windows are required for placement of EGMU GPS Antenna(s). - The window(s) used should be free of metallic defrosting/heating elements, if possible, as it may negatively affect satellite reception. - For this reason (and possible security issues) , EGMU antennas installs on Flight Deck or Cockpit windows should be avoided unless there is no other install option. - Cabin window installs should be the standard procedure and will be used when possible as such customers should be prepared to keep one row free for use by RVSM specialist. - GPS reception may also be negatively hindered by Cabin Wireless Networks (WIFI). Please disable aircraft WIFI systems during EGMU RVSM Monitoring Flights. - Air crew will be required to furnish the RVSM specialist with the aircrafts transponder code prior to data recording commencing and should provide notice along with the relevant time in case of any changes so as to allow for the ARD system to function correctly. - It should be noted that the ARD system is a passive system which relies on outside interrogations e.g. ATC or Traffic in order to read the transponder. - As such should you operate in a sparsely populated airspace the ARD may not receive sufficient information should this be the case a manual altimetry recording will be required for the duration of the monitor. - The RVSM specialist will provide flight crew with a manual altimeter log and instruct them in its correct use to provide supplementary information for the height monitor system.

ARMA completes the initial processing of the data collected during a monitoring flight and ASE result calculations within two (2) weeks. Upon completion of the final ASE results, ARMA will provide the results of the monitoring flight to the Operator and operator’s State Authority.

How do I find the 3 letter ICAO Airline Code to complete the F2 and F3 Forms? ICAO Doc 8585 or follow the link: List_of_airline_codes_(S)

Aircraft height-keeping performance monitoring is a quality check on the engineering work and approval process associated with the safety of RVSM operations

To schedule a RVSM monitoring flight contact ARMA at arma.africa or email armad@atns.co.za

The ARMA Team will temporarily set up the E2GMU in your aircraft (this takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes prior to taxi) and will need to collect approximately 30 to 45 minutes of data at level flight within RVSM airspace (FL290-410)