wrote in message
oups.com...

The ATC folks like to quote FAA Order 7110.65R
http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/ATC/Chp5/atc0505.html#5-5-1 which says, among
other stuff that I don't understand, that "Radar separation shall be
applied to all RNAV aircraft operating on a random (impromptu) route at
or below FL 450..."


You're in the wrong chapter. See paragraphs 4-1-1 and 4-1-2 at the link
below:

http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/ATC/Chp4/atc0401.html