Specialised Operations (SPO)

071-04-01Pablo Asensio Martínez2026-04-011 min

RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minima)

Reduces vertical separation from 2,000 ft to 1,000 ft between FL290 and FL410 (inclusive).

  • Goal: Increases airspace capacity.
  • Equipment Required:
    • 2 Independent Altimetry Systems.
    • 1 Automatic Altitude-keeping System (Autopilot).
    • 1 Altitude Alerting System.
    • 1 SSR Transponder with Altitude Reporting.
  • Contingency: If equipment fails, pilot must notify ATC ("Unable RVSM") and may be cleared out of RVSM airspace or given 2,000 ft separation.

PBN (Performance Based Navigation)

Moved away from "Sensor Based" (VOR/NDB) to "Performance Based".

  • RNAV (Area Navigation): Allows flight on any desired path using basic positioning (GNSS/DME-DME/IRS).
  • RNP (Required Navigation Performance): RNAV + On-board Performance Monitoring and Alerting.
  • Specification: RNP 1 means the aircraft must be within 1 NM of the centerline 95% of the flight time.

NAT HLA (North Atlantic High Level Airspace)

Formerly MNPS (Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications).

  • Airspace: FL285 to FL420 in the North Atlantic.
  • Requirements: Two Long Range Navigation Systems (LRNS). HF Radios (or SATCOM where authorized).

LVO (Low Visibility Operations)

ILS Approach

  • Take-off: Low Visibility Take-off (LVTO) usually below 400m RVR.
  • Approach Categories:
    • CAT I: DH >= 200ft, Vis >= 550m.
    • CAT II: 100ft < DH < 200ft, RVR >= 300m.
    • CAT IIIA: DH < 100ft (or no DH), RVR >= 175m.
    • CAT IIIB: DH < 50ft (or no DH), 175m > RVR >= 50m.
    • CAT IIIC: No DH, No RVR limits (Zero/Zero). Not currently approved anywhere (taxiing is the problem).