Story ID: 
A Reminder about Flight Plan Suffixes
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: Effective January 5, when filing an FAA flight plan (with the exception of filing through DUATS and flight service stations), RVSM-compliant operators are 
Word Count: 100
Effective January 5, when filing an FAA flight plan (with the exception of filing through DUATS and flight service stations), RVSM-compliant operators are expected to file “/Q” (RVSM with a FMS or GPS) or “/W” (RVSM without FMS and GPS), as appropriate, for flight in RVSM airspace (between FL290 and FL410 inclusive). This will allow the FAA to see that operators are filing correctly for flight in RVSM airspace as the implementation date of January 20 approaches. Operators filing through DUATS and flight service stations may start filing “/Q” or “/W” on January 20. See www.faa.gov/ats/ ato/rvsm_documentation.htm