Vertical Separation Minimum


Vertical Separation Minimum (VSM) is the minimum vertical distance that must be maintained between two aircraft flying in the same airspace to ensure safe separation. VSM is measured in feet or meters and varies depending on the type of airspace, the altitude of the aircraft, and the equipment on board. The International civil aviation organization (ICAO) sets the standard VSM for commercial aviation at 1000 feet (or 300 meters) in most cases. However, in certain situations, such as in mountainous terrain or during approach and landing, the VSM may be reduced to as little as 250 feet (or 75 meters) to allow for more efficient use of airspace. Maintaining proper VSM is critical to ensuring the safety of air travel.


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