Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Physical Sciences

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) Operations Training

SAQA US 243291 | NQF 6 | Credits 8 | Duration 5 Days
From $1,242 per delegate

Description

This course equips aviation professionals with the knowledge and skills to operate in Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) airspace. Learners will understand the technical, operational, and regulatory requirements for RVSM operations, ensuring safe and efficient flight in designated airspace. The course aligns with SAQA Unit Standard 243291 and prepares participants for compliance with international aviation standards.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the principles and benefits of Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) in airspace management.
  • Apply RVSM operational requirements including aircraft equipment, performance, and crew procedures.
  • Analyze RVSM airspace structure and identify non-compliant scenarios and contingency actions.
  • Demonstrate pre-flight and in-flight RVSM procedures including altitude keeping and contingency planning.
  • Evaluate the impact of turbulence, weather, and system failures on RVSM operations.
  • Implement RVSM compliance documentation and reporting as per regulatory standards.

Target Audience

This course is designed for pilots, air traffic controllers, and aviation maintenance personnel who require RVSM operational authorization or wish to deepen their understanding of RVSM procedures.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to RVSM and Airspace Concepts

Objectives:
• Understand the history and rationale behind RVSM
• Define RVSM airspace and its operational requirements
• Identify the key components of RVSM approval
• Recognise the importance of altitude-keeping performance
• Explain the vertical separation standards before and after RVSM

Topics:
• Evolution of air traffic management and need for RVSM
• RVSM airspace: FL290 to FL410
• Basic principles of vertical separation
• Aircraft height-keeping systems overview
• Regulatory framework: ICAO, FAA, EASA, SACAA
• RVSM approval categories: aircraft, operator, crew

Day 2: RVSM Aircraft Systems and Performance Requirements

Objectives:
• Describe the primary and secondary altimetry systems
• Explain altitude-keeping performance requirements (MSS, AES, CAS)
• Understand the role of the Automatic Altitude Control System (AACS)
• Identify required equipment for RVSM operations
• Interpret RVSM maintenance and monitoring procedures

Topics:
• Altimetry system components: air data computer, static ports, transducers
• Altitude alerting and reporting systems
• Height-keeping performance: Total Vertical Error (TVE), Altimetry System Error (ASE), Assigned Altitude Deviation (AAD)
• RVSM equipment list: dual altimeters, transponders, TCAS
• Minimum Equipment List (MEL) for RVSM
• Aircraft monitoring and data collection

Day 3: Flight Planning, Contingency Procedures, and Operational Approval

Objectives:
• Plan a flight in RVSM airspace considering weather and traffic
• Apply RVSM contingency procedures for equipment failures
• Understand operator approval process and documentation
• Conduct pre-flight checks for RVSM compliance
• Respond to in-flight altitude deviations

Topics:
• Flight planning for RVSM: route, wind, turbulence
• Contingency procedures: loss of RVSM capability, turbulence penetration
• Operator approval: application, validation, continued compliance
• Pre-flight inspection and logbook entries
• In-flight procedures: altitude changes, crossing traffic
• Communication with ATC during RVSM operations

Day 4: Crew Training, Human Factors, and Safety Management

Objectives:
• Identify crew training requirements for RVSM
• Apply human factors principles to RVSM operations
• Recognise common errors and threats in RVSM airspace
• Understand safety management systems (SMS) related to RVSM
• Analyse incident reports and lessons learned

Topics:
• Crew training syllabus: theory, simulator, line operations
• Human factors: fatigue, situational awareness, communication
• Threat and error management in RVSM
• Safety reporting and incident analysis
• Case studies: RVSM altitude deviations and near-misses
• SMS integration: hazard identification, risk assessment

Day 5: Practical Integration, Review, and Assessment

Objectives:
• Integrate RVSM knowledge into flight operations
• Demonstrate proficiency in RVSM procedures via scenarios
• Complete a comprehensive knowledge assessment
• Review key concepts and clarify misunderstandings
• Prepare for recurrent training and monitoring

Topics:
• Scenario-based exercises: normal and abnormal RVSM operations
• Simulated ATC communications and coordination
• RVSM documentation review: manuals, checklists
• Assessment: written test and practical scenario
• Course wrap-up and feedback
• Recurrent training requirements and resources

Practicals

16 hours of practicals To be conducted online or on-campus or in-house
Overview

Practical sessions provide hands-on experience with RVSM equipment checks, flight planning, and simulated in-flight scenarios. Learners will practice pre-flight inspections, contingency procedures, and crew coordination in a simulated environment to reinforce theoretical knowledge.

Practical Activities
  • Pre-flight RVSM Equipment Inspection — Learners perform a thorough pre-flight inspection of RVSM-related aircraft systems using actual equipment and checklists. (4h)
  • Flight Planning and RVSM Airspace Entry — Learners plan a flight through RVSM airspace, including route selection, altitude assignments, and contingency fuel calculations. (4h)
  • In-flight RVSM Contingency Scenarios — In a flight simulator, learners handle equipment failures and turbulence requiring loss of RVSM capability, coordinating with ATC. (4h)
  • Simulated RVSM Operations and Assessment — Learners conduct a full RVSM flight segment in a simulator, demonstrating compliance with all procedures, followed by debrief. (4h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) 100% 30%
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 50%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Practicals 30% + Daily Average 20% + Final Test 50%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 28 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 19 Oct 2026 Fri 23 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 07 Dec 2026 Fri 11 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 11 Jan 2027 Fri 15 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 15 Feb 2027 Fri 19 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 01 Mar 2027 Fri 05 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 07 Jun 2027 Fri 11 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 28 Jun 2027 Fri 02 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
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Mon 06 Sep 2027 Fri 10 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 27 Sep 2027 Fri 01 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 18 Oct 2027 Fri 22 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 06 Dec 2027 Fri 10 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 27 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 492 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Durban, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,916 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Abu Dhabi, UAE Winter 2026 $5,238 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,863 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $5,238 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $3,078 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 14 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 05 Oct 2026 Fri 09 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 26 Oct 2026 Fri 30 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Dec 2026 Fri 18 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 18 Jan 2027 Fri 22 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 22 Feb 2027 Fri 26 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 22 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 05 Jul 2027 Fri 09 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 26 Jul 2027 Fri 30 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Fri 17 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 04 Oct 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Fri 29 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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