Low Visibility Procedures

Part Four
objectives
Know the
 RVR reporting requirements applicable to CAT 2 and CAT 3 approaches.
 Minimums applicable to CAT 2 and CAT 3 approaches.
 Requirements applicable to radio altimeter DH settings for CAT 2 and
CAT 3 approaches.
Be familiar with
 the purpose and use of Surface Movement Guidance and Control
Systems (SMGCS).
 The use of visual references during CAT 2 and CAT 3 operations.
 The acceptable flight path deviations during low visibility procedures.
Be able to
 interpret the CAT 2 and CAT 3 procedures and minimums specified on
Jeppesen approach charts.
RVR reporting requirements applicable to CAT
2 and CAT 3 approaches.

Transmissometer systems
are strategically located to
provide RVR measurements
associated with THREE basic
portions of a runway:
• The touchdown zone (TDZ)
• The mid-runway portion
(MID)
• The rollout portion or stop
end.
RUNWAY VAISUL RANGEMEASUREMENTS

For Category II and

Category III operations,
the RVR measurements
are provided by a
system of calibrated
transmissometers and
account for the effects
of ambient background
light and the intensity
of runway lights.

4
RVR REQUIREMENTS
Transmissometer Required RVR
CAT
Controlling Touchdown Midpoint Midpoint Stopend
With Auto Roll-out Without Auto
Roll-out

II All Reported As Depicted Above or = 125 Above or =

75 m 75 m

IIIA All Reported As Depicted Above or = 125 Above or =

75 m 75 m
IIIB with DH All Reported As Depicted Above or = N/Auth Above or =
75 m 75 m
CAT IIIB NO All Reported As Depicted Above or = N/Auth Above or =
DH 75 m 75 m

NOTE: A Minimum of 2 Transmissometers is required for all categories above.

Minimums applicable to CAT I,CAT II and
CAT III approaches
Minimums applicable to CAT I,CAT II and
CAT III approaches
Minimums applicable to CAT I,CAT II and
CAT III approaches

A CAT I operation is a precision instrument approach and

landing using ILS with a decision height not lower than 200 ft
AAL and with a runway visual range not less than 550 m.
Minimums applicable to CAT I,CAT II
and CAT III approaches

A category II approach is a precision instrument approach and landing

with decision height lower than 200ft but not lower than 100ft, and
a runway visual range not less than 300m
Minimums applicable to CAT I,CAT II and
CAT III approaches

A category III A approach is a precision instrument approach

and landing with a decision height lower than 100ft and a
runway visual range not less than 200m
Minimums applicable to CAT I,CAT II and
CAT III approaches

A category III B approach is a precision approach and landing with no

decision height or a decision height lower than 50ft and a runway
visual range less than 200m, but not less than 75m
Minimums applicable to CAT I,CAT II and
CAT III approaches
Radio Altimeter DH settings for CAT 2
and CAT 3 approaches
Radio Altimeter DH settings for CAT 2
and CAT 3 approaches
Radio Altimeter DH settings for CAT 2
and CAT 3 approaches
Radio Altimeter DH settings for CAT 2
and CAT 3 approaches
Surface Movement Guidance and
Control Systems (SMGCS).
Surface Movement Guidance and
Control System, more commonly known
as SMGCS (acronym pronounced
'SMIGS'), requires a low visibility taxi
plan for any airport which has takeoff or
landing operations less than 1,200 feet
runway visual range (RVR) visibility
conditions.

This plan affects both air crew and vehicle

operators. Taxi routes to and from the
SMGCS runway must be designated and
displayed on a SMGCS Low Visibility Taxi
Route chart.
Surface Movement Guidance and
Control Systems (SMGCS).
Surface Movement Guidance and
Control Systems (SMGCS).

• RUNWAY GUARD LIGHTS

• TAXIWAY CENTERLINE
LIGHTING
• GEOGRAPHIC POSITION
MARKINGS
• CLEARANCE BAR LIGHTS

STOP BAR LIGHTS,

Normal operation of
stop bars include:
interpret the CAT 2 and CAT 3 procedures and
minimums specified on Jeppesen approach
charts
interpret the CAT 2 and CAT 3 procedures and
minimums specified on Jeppesen approach
charts
The use of visual references during CAT II and
CAT IIIA operations
A pilot may not continue the approach below DH
unless a visual reference containing not less than
a 3 light segment of the

Runway edge
lights

Runway
centerline lights

Touchdown zone
lights

A combination of these Centerline of the

lights is attained and can approach lights
be maintained.
The use of visual references during CAT III B
operations

For CAT III B the

visual reference must
contain at least one
centerline light.

For CAT III B with NO

DH – No requirement
for visual contact with
the runway prior to
touchdown
The acceptable flight path deviations during
low visibility procedures
It must be realized that
the DH is the lower limit
of the decision zone
during which, in limiting
conditions, the CM1 will
be assessing the visual
references.

He should come to this

zone prepared for a go-
around but with no pre-
established judgment.
The acceptable flight path deviations during
low visibility procedures

In CAT II operations, at
DH the approach may
be continued provided
that the visual
reference is adequate
and the flight path is
acceptable.

He should make his decision

according to the quality of the
approach and the way the
visual references develop as
DH is approached.
The acceptable flight path deviations during
low visibility procedures
CAT II/III approaches DH
shall be determined from
the radio altimeter.

He should make his decision

according to the quality of the
approach and the way the
visual references develop as
DH is approached.

If both these conditions are not satisfied a go-

around is mandatory.