Applying for an LOA
Part 91 operators applying for an RVSM LOA show how their pilots were trained. A certificate documenting completion of a course of instruction on RVSM policy and procedures is one of the means AC 91-85B lists.
Ground School · typerating.aero
How the RVSM course teaches
Built on the FAA's list of RVSM ground training subjects, and taught by doing, recalling and deciding in short sessions on your phone or computer.
- Interactive diagramsSwitch the flight levels between RVSM and non-RVSM, see what ASE, AAD and TVE look like to you, ATC and TCAS, fail the air data, autopilot, altitude alerter or transponder from the ground check to cruise, and fly into mountain wave.
- Teach, then testEvery question comes right after the page that teaches it, so you check your understanding while it is fresh.
- Any lesson, any orderOnce you have the course, every lesson is open from the start. The route suggests an order; go straight to the subject you need.
- The FAA's subjects, one by oneA syllabus page shows every subject the FAA lists, with the lessons that teach it, for you, your operator or anyone reviewing your training.
- Numbers blitz60 seconds of rapid-fire RVSM numbers: tolerances, limits and reporting thresholds.
- Mock oral and written checkQuestions you answer out loud, and a mixed written check scored at the end.
- Spaced repetitionSmart review brings back each question just as you are about to forget it, so the rules are still fresh on the day you need them.
- Help that knows the courseAsk the built-in AI assistant. It answers only from the course text, and hands billing and account questions to a person.
- Procedures quick referenceWith the certificate, a one-page PDF made out to you, with graphics. It covers flight levels, altimeter cross-checks, level-off, phraseology, equipment failures, wave and wake. A training summary to print or keep on your tablet, not an operating document.
LOA B046 · AC 91-85B, paragraph 3.2
All 15 RVSM ground training subjects
The course covers the 15 ground training subjects the FAA lists for LOA B046 in AC 91-85B, paragraph 3.2. Here is each one, in the FAA's words, with the lessons that teach it.
- 1Description of RVSM airspace, including Flight Level Allocation Schemes (FLAS)Lessons 1, 2, 3, 15
- 2Flight planning for RVSM aircraftLesson 6
- 3Preflight proceduresLessons 7, 15
- 4Procedures before RVSM airspace entryLesson 8
- 5In-flight proceduresLessons 9, 13, 15
- 6RVSM pilot air traffic control (ATC) phraseologyLessons 10, 11, 13
- 7Contingency procedures after entering RVSM airspaceLessons 11, 12, 13, 15
- 8Postflight proceduresLesson 14
- 9Non-RVSM aircraftLessons 2, 3, 10, 13, 14
- 10Altitude-keeping performance monitoringLessons 4, 5, 15
- 11Minimum equipment list (MEL)Lesson 6
- 12Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) considerations for RVSM (if TCAS-equipped)Lessons 3, 6, 9, 11, 12
- 13RVSM oceanic operations (if applicable)Lessons 2, 8, 13, 15
- 14International operations (if applicable)Lessons 2, 13
- 15Severe turbulence and Mountain Wave Activity (MWA)Lessons 6, 12, 15
Course outline
15 lessons, about 2 hours
Short lessons in 5 parts. The first lessons are a free preview; once you have the course, take the rest in any order.
RVSM airspace
What RVSM is, the flight level scheme, and who may fly there
- 1What RVSM isFree preview
- 2Flight level allocationFree preview
- 3Aircraft, operator and pilot
Before flight
Height-keeping errors and monitoring, flight planning, the MEL and preflight
- 4Height-keeping errors
- 5Monitoring and reporting
- 6Flight planning and the MEL
- 7Preflight
In RVSM airspace
Entry, cruise discipline and phraseology
- 8Before RVSM entry
- 9Cruise discipline
- 10RVSM phraseology
When things go wrong
Failures, turbulence, wave and wake, and RVSM abroad
- 11Equipment failures after entry
- 12Turbulence, mountain wave and wake
- 13International and oceanic operations
After the flight
Write-ups, non-RVSM aircraft and the numbers
- 14Postflight and non-RVSM aircraft
- 15Numbers to know
Written from public sources: 14 CFR Part 91 Appendix G and § 91.179 (eCFR, current to 27 Oct 2026); FAA AC 91-85B (29 Jan 2019, editorial update 19 Mar 2025); FAA Aeronautical Information Manual, chapter 4 section 6; ICAO NAT Doc 007, North Atlantic Operations and Airspace Manual, V.2026-1; EASA Easy Access Rules for Air Operations, Revision 24 (March 2026), Part-SPA Subpart D.
Who it's for
Pilots and Part 91 operators
Flying on ADS-B Out
No LOA application, but Appendix G still requires each pilot to know the RVSM requirements, policies and procedures. AC 91-85B lists the subjects; the course teaches them.
Review and refresh
AC 91-85B says currency or recurrent programs should include the RVSM subjects too. Go back to any lesson, the numbers and the mock oral during your 12 months.
Certificate of training
A record of what you completed
Finish every lesson, confirm that you did them yourself, and download a certificate of training as a PDF. It lists the subjects with the lessons that teach each one, and carries its own number and QR code: anyone, such as your operator, can check it at typerating.aero/verify/ with the number and your last name.
With the certificate comes a one-page procedures quick reference, also a PDF made out to you, with graphics. It covers flight levels, altimeter cross-checks, level-off, phraseology, equipment failures, wave and wake. It is a training summary to print or keep on your tablet; the regulations, the AIPs and your operator's procedures govern.
From six months after your certificate, while you have access to the course, a refresher check of 30 questions from across the course, with the questions added since your certificate first, gives you a certificate of refresher training with its own number and date, verifiable like the first.
Covers all 15 RVSM ground training subjects the FAA lists for LOA B046 (AC 91-85B, paragraph 3.2). Your certificate of training documents completion of a course of instruction on RVSM policy and procedures, one of the means AC 91-85B (5.5.2.1) lists for Part 91 operators applying for an LOA; the FAA may review the course before accepting it. The course is not FAA-approved.
Prices · single payments, nothing renews
Try it, then choose a plan
Try it first
Create a free account to open the first two lessons, “What RVSM is” and “Flight level allocation”, before you buy.
Open Ground School →$99
The full RVSM course for 12 months, with the certificate of training. One payment; nothing renews.
Get the RVSM course →$277
RVSM and Oceanic & NAT HLA, 12 months each, in one payment.
Get both courses →International courses are sold for 12 months only. 48-hour refund if you have completed less than 10% of the paid lessons (for the bundle, of both courses together). About the Oceanic & NAT HLA course →
Questions
RVSM ground training FAQ
Is there an online RVSM training course?
Yes. The RVSM course in our Ground School app at app.typerating.aero is operational ground training for any RVSM aircraft: 15 lessons, about 2 hours, with interactive diagrams, a numbers blitz, a mock oral and a mock written check. It covers the 15 ground training subjects the FAA lists for LOA B046 (AC 91-85B, paragraph 3.2) and ends with a certificate of training.
What does the RVSM course cover?
The 15 subjects of AC 91-85B, paragraph 3.2: Description of RVSM airspace, including Flight Level Allocation Schemes (FLAS); Flight planning for RVSM aircraft; Preflight procedures; Procedures before RVSM airspace entry; In-flight procedures; RVSM pilot air traffic control (ATC) phraseology; Contingency procedures after entering RVSM airspace; Postflight procedures; Non-RVSM aircraft; Altitude-keeping performance monitoring; Minimum equipment list (MEL); Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) considerations for RVSM (if TCAS-equipped); RVSM oceanic operations (if applicable); International operations (if applicable); Severe turbulence and Mountain Wave Activity (MWA).
Can I use the certificate for an RVSM LOA application?
Your certificate of training documents completion of a course of instruction on RVSM policy and procedures, one of the means AC 91-85B (paragraph 5.5.2.1) lists for Part 91 operators applying for an LOA. The FAA may review the course before accepting it, and decides whether it counts. The course is not FAA-approved.
Do I need RVSM training if my aircraft has ADS-B Out?
Under Appendix G section 9, an aircraft with the RVSM equipment, a qualified ADS-B Out system and an altimetry system error of 200 ft or less may fly in RVSM airspace without applying for an authorization. The operator still has to make sure the aircraft is compliant and monitored, and Appendix G still requires each pilot to have knowledge of RVSM requirements, policies and procedures sufficient for the operation. AC 91-85B lists the subjects that knowledge covers, and the course is built on that list.
Is the RVSM course FAA-approved?
No. It is not FAA-approved training or an authorization. It covers the ground training subjects the FAA lists for LOA B046, and whether and how it counts toward an authorization is decided by the operator and the FAA, which may review the course first.
Which aircraft is the RVSM course for?
Any RVSM aircraft. It teaches the rules, procedures and contingencies of RVSM, not one airplane's systems; for your airplane's RVSM equipment, operating restrictions and procedures, follow its AFM and your operator's procedures.
Does the RVSM course teach SLOP and oceanic contingency procedures?
Only as far as AC 91-85B does: what the strategic lateral offset procedure (SLOP) and the oceanic contingency procedures are, and where they are published. How to fly them is oceanic training, in our Oceanic & NAT HLA course (typerating.aero/oceanic-nat-hla-ground-training/).
How much is the RVSM course?
$99 for 12 months, one payment that does not renew, or $277 for RVSM and Oceanic & NAT HLA together, 12 months each, in one payment. International courses are sold for 12 months only. Full refund if you ask within 48 hours of purchase and have completed less than 10% of the paid lessons (for the bundle, of both courses' paid lessons counted together).
Can I try the RVSM course for free?
Yes. Create a free account to open the first two lessons, “What RVSM is” and “Flight level allocation”, before you buy.
How often should I review RVSM?
AC 91-85B says currency or recurrent programs should include the RVSM subjects too. With 12 months of access you can go back to any lesson, the numbers blitz and the mock oral whenever you like, for example before an international trip.
What is the RVSM course based on?
Public sources: 14 CFR Part 91 Appendix G and § 91.179 (eCFR, current to 27 Oct 2026); FAA AC 91-85B (29 Jan 2019, editorial update 19 Mar 2025); FAA Aeronautical Information Manual, chapter 4 section 6; ICAO NAT Doc 007, North Atlantic Operations and Airspace Manual, V.2026-1; EASA Easy Access Rules for Air Operations, Revision 24 (March 2026), Part-SPA Subpart D. It is written by DAJETS Training (typerating.aero), which also gives in-aircraft jet type rating training from Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), Florida.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. Ground School runs in the browser on iPhone, Android, tablets and computers, and you can add it to your home screen like an app. Sign in and your progress follows you from device to device.
Get started
Open Ground School
Create a free account and start with the free preview lessons on your phone or computer. Flying over the ocean too? The Oceanic & NAT HLA course covers oceanic RNP and the North Atlantic.