Regulations and Government
As DRVSM deadline nears, compliance pressure grows
In spite of the near panic the subject of DRVSM creates in some flight departments, it may come as a surprise that the FAA lists only three things an opera

In spite of the near panic the subject of DRVSM creates in some flight departments, it may come as a surprise that the FAA lists only three things an operator must have to gain access to the future stratum of special-use airspace: an airplane; the telephone number of your local service center; and money.

So went the line that got the biggest laugh at last month’s DRVSM seminar in Chicago, an FAA-hosted event that was meant to serve as a primer for business jet operators about to embark on the long and sometimes confusing road to obtaining an RVSM letter of authorization, the golden ticket to the airspace between FL290 and FL410 after Jan. 20, 2005, the date DRVSM is to take effect.