A330 Engine Failure in RVSM Airspace

RVSM Airspace… Where do we find it? Over the ocean! A place we may have aircraft within 2 miles to the right or left of our course, and within 1000 feet vertical separation. So close we can see the details of those that we pass.

In RVSM Airspace tracks are spaced 60 miles apart in the Atlantic and 50 miles apart in the Pacific. RNP ... Required Navigation Performance... is not only a type of performance based navigation that enables us to operate within this system, but establishes the required level of performance required to fly these freeways in the sky.

RNP-10 requires aircraft to maintain a course within 10 mile of centerline 95% of the time. Unfortunately, as luck would have it, other aircraft may be diverting at the same time as we are. Remember that old saying, “If it weren’t for bad luck I wouldn’t have any at all?”

While we’re open to many problems enroute, an engine failure is a biggie. At best we may have a couple minutes until she stops flying at our given altitude and wants to start down. ICAO mandates we descend 15 miles off our given route. This gives us a potential three miles of separation.

Let's assume that the aircraft below us is at their 10-mile RNP10 limit. They’re also slopping the allowed two miles to the right. Slopping: Language used when we fly to the right of centerline intentionally. Slopping would put the other aircraft 12 miles to the right, leaving us a three-mile window for spacing.

Note to remember: At Mach .80, a 90 degree turn takes about 8 miles.

We will be slowing and the wind could be an issue impacting our turn radius, but two consecutive 90-degree turns will position us almost exactly 15 miles from our previous track--- A 180-degree turn heading the opposite direction, or a 90 one way followed by a 90 the other direction. I remember him telling me not to worry which direction, we can always change our mind later. Apparently not only women have that prerogative.

The goal is to get off the track and get established on a new 15-mile track without hitting anyone in the process. But we must also remember to fly the plane. How do we do that when we lost 50% of our engines? Tomorrow is another story.

Enjoy the Journey~

~ Karlene