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5 Answers

What is the required flight visibility on an approach that lists the minimums as RVR?

Asked by: 1397 views
FAA Regulations, Instrument Rating

I understand that for part 91 operations, it does not legally matter what is reported on the ATIS. I just need to have the required flight visibility (what I can see from the cockpit).

On the KRDU RNAV Y 23L, the minimums are listed as 1800 RVR. Is my required flight visibility 1800 feet? or do I have to use the table to convert it to 1/2 sm, which is actually 2640 feet?

5 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Feb 05, 2023

    This was my initial answer, but is wrong. See my later post for a corrected answer.

    For a part 91 operator, the flight visibility is converted to SM using the table for Comparable Vales if RVR and Visibility found in the Digital Terminal Procedures Supplemental guidance. So, the minimum for flight visibility for RVR 1800 would be 1/2 SM.

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  2. cmpt7 on Feb 05, 2023

    Thank you. Just want to confirm I have this right because I was told differently by everyone else I asked. It would be illegal to descend below DA and land on this approach if I could only see 1800 feet from the cockpit? I have to see 2640 feet?

    And if that’s the case I wonder why the FAA wouldn’t just include that information on the approach plate the way jeppesen does so we don’t have to go to the conversion table in the TPP.

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  3. John D Collins on Feb 07, 2023

    cmpt7 I am doing more research on the topic and will update my remarks when I have more information. I don’t know if my original response is correct or not.

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  4. Best Answer


    John D Collins on Feb 16, 2023

    cmpt7, after researching, my initial response was wrong. The flight visibility required should be 1800 feet. I worked with a top NBAA expert in IFR procedures matters and we asked AFS-400 this question:

    “When only RVR is published on an Standard Instrument Approach Procedure as the “visibility prescribed in the standard instrument approach being used”, what “flight visibility” should the pilot use from the cockpit/flight deck to determine whether the approach can be continued to landing at the published decision altitude (DA) or below the authorized minimum descent altitude (MDA) in accordance with 14 CFR 91.175(c)(2)?”

    The response was:

    “To paraphrase, according to 91.175(c)(2) the pilot cannot descend below the DA (in this case) unless the flight visibility is not less than the visibility prescribed in the approach.

    Visibility prescribed for the approach is defined as a distance (feet, meters, statute miles) and is measured on the ground. In this case the visibility prescribed for the approach is 1800 RVR or 1800 feet. Flight visibility is also a distance that the pilot would need to assess at the DA from the aircraft in order to continue. In this case, since the visibility prescribed by the approach is 1800 feet, the pilot would need 1800 feet of flight visibility.”

    I then looked for the regulatory backup for the AFS-400 response and found this definition in 97.3 for “Visibility Minimum” (Part 97 is the regulation that defines Standard Instrument Approach procedures):

    “Visibility minimum means the minimum visibility specified for approach, landing, or takeoff, expressed in statute miles, or in feet where RVR is reported”

    So along with 91.175(c)(2) “The flight visibility is not less than the visibility prescribed in the standard instrument approach being used” is the basis for the AFS-400 position.

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  5. cmpt7 on Feb 16, 2023

    Excellent, thank you

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