What equipment is required in RVSM airspace?

In Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace, the requirement for two independent altitude measurement systems is critical for maintaining safety and operational integrity. This requirement ensures that an aircraft can accurately determine its altitude and maintain proper altitude separation from other aircraft within the RVSM airspace, which operates with reduced vertical separation between aircraft flying at altitudes between Flight Level 290 and Flight Level 410.

Having two independent altitude measurement systems helps mitigate the risk of altitude reporting errors. If one system were to fail or provide an inaccurate reading, the other system can continue to provide reliable altitude data, thereby ensuring that the aircraft remains at the correct altitude and maintains safe separation from other aircraft.

A single altitude measurement system would not provide the redundancy necessary for safety in RVSM airspace. Similarly, while GPS tracking systems and weather radar systems are important for navigation and situational awareness, they do not fulfill the specific requirements set forth for altitude measurement in RVSM operations. Thus, the correct equipment for RVSM airspace is indeed two independent altitude measurement systems.