A LJ-45 pilot on a ferry flight prior to the aircraft being entered into the company's RVSM LOA mistakenly climbed into RVSM airspace before being reminded by ATC as he began his descent.

Narrative

The aircraft I was ferrying was certified for flight in RVSM airspace; but had not been added to our RVSM LOA [Letter of Authorization]. I had flown this aircraft; and another one; earlier in the day on short return to service flights. On both previous flights; the flight plans were filed with /R as the equipment code; and transition through RVSM airspace was requested and granted. On this flight; the flight plan was filed for me by our chief pilot. Mistakenly; the equipment code was not changed from the default of /Q to /R; but a note was placed in the 'Remarks' section that the aircraft was 'Negative RVSM.' During climb-out; I inadvertently neglected to notify ATC of our RVSM status; and did not realize it until we were queried by ATC during our initial descent. According to the individual with whom I spoke at the center; no loss of separation occurred during the flight. However; the incorrectly-filed equipment code; along with my forgetting to request transition through RVSM airspace; led to confusion. This mistake was; in no way; intentional and I have always been in the past; and will be even more so in the future; extremely vigilant about recommended procedures and phraseology when flying in RVSM airspace.