Who has priority in RVSM airspace when there is a convergence of RVSM and non-RVSM traffic?

• A. RVSM aircraft
• B. Non-RVSM aircraft
• C. ATC arbitrates
• D. First-come-first-served

Answer: (A)

In RVSM airspace the standard is stricter altitude control due to the reduced vertical separation between aircraft. RVSM-equipped aircraft have priority when their paths converge with non-RVSM traffic because their altimetry and automatic flight-control systems can maintain the precise level required at 1,000 ft vertical spacing. To keep safe separation, air traffic control will separate the non-RVSM traffic by assigning a different flight level or heading, but the aircraft with RVSM certification maintains its current level. So the RVSM aircraft are given priority.