Editing Flight level (section)

==Reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM)==

{{main|Reduced vertical separation minima}}

{{hatnote|In the U.S. and Canada, the information in this section applies to flights under [[Instrument flight rules|instrument flight rules (IFR)]]. Different altitudes will apply for aircraft flying under [[Visual flight rules|visual flight rules (VFR)]] above 3000&nbsp;ft AGL.}}

[[Reduced vertical separation minima]] (RVSM) reduces the vertical separation between FL290 and FL410. This allows aircraft to safely fly more optimum routes, save fuel and increase airspace capacity by adding new flight levels. Only aircraft that have been certified to meet RVSM standards, with several exclusions, are allowed to fly in RVSM airspace. It was introduced into the UK in March 2001. On 20 January 2002, it entered European airspace. The United States, Canada and Mexico transitioned to RVSM between FL 290 and FL 410 on 20 January 2005, and Africa on 25 September 2008.

* Track 000 to 179° – odd thousands (FL 290, 310, 330, etc.)
* Track 180 to 359° – even thousands (FL 300, 320, 340, etc.)
At FL 410 and above, 4,000&nbsp;ft intervals are resumed to separate same-direction aircraft and only odd Flight Levels are assigned, depending on the direction of flight:
* Track 000 to 179° – odd flight levels (FL 410, 450, 490, etc.)
* Track 180 to 359° – even flight levels (FL 430, 470, 510, etc.)