Welp........coupla things here......
290 is the bottom of RVSM airspace and RVSM have already been in affect in the CONUS since January 20, 0901UTC. The latest B/CA estimates indicate that a majority of the corporate aircraft in the US have already been modified and certified.
Most modern jets that were built in the last 30 years can comply with FAA/CFR 91-RVSM with less than $200,000usd worth of modifications.
I can't speak for the Falcon or the Jetstar(why would you want to prolong the life of a Jester anyway?) but we spent nearly half a million on our Lear 35. Our case is an extreme example(my boss went for all of the bells and whistles)and if you just want to equip for compliance, a Lear 35 can be done for as little as $75,000usd. The FC-200 autopilot is perfectly capable of maintaining the +/-65feet required under the regs when the airplane is equipped with a Rosemont pitot system. After that the only other big money item would be a new altimeter with an ADC.
Now, short of a complete avionics upgrade, what kind of modifications would be made to a pre-1980's (pre FMC) biz jet to enable it to comply with the reduced vertical separation standards? What model of GPS recievers are authorized for older biz jets? etc.
I think you're misunderstanding the requirements or have been misinformed. You don't need an FMC or a GPS to fly in RVSM airspace. What you
do need is more sensitive altitude sensing and reporting equipment:
-a cross coupled pitot/static system
-an ADC
-Mode C Xponder, capable of providing a digitally coded signal corresponding to the displayed PA
-altitude alerter
-A/P capable of maintaining +/- 65 feet in still air
Now, I haven't seen any airplanes certified without a GPS but I
do know of two Lear 35's that only use a KLN90(course guidance only, no pretty picture)and have no FMS.
.....so I loaded up the plane and moved to Middle-EEEE..........OIL..that is......
by Gary R. » Sat Apr 09, 2005 8:44 pm 
