background image

Pilot/Controller Glossary

on the measurement of a transmissometer made near the touchdown point
of the instrument runway and is

reported in hundreds of feet. RVR, where available, is used in lieu of
prevailing visibility in determining

minimums for a particular runway.

Touchdown RVR

-

 The RVR visibility readout values obtained from RVR equipment serving
the runway

touchdown zone.

Mid-RVR

-

The RVR readout values obtained from RVR equipment located midfield of
the runway.

Rollout RVR

-

The RVR readout values obtained from RVR equipment located nearest the
rollout end

of the runway.

(See ICAO term FLIGHT VISIBILITY.)
(See ICAO term GROUND VISIBILITY.)
(See ICAO term RUNWAY VISUAL RANGE.)
(See ICAO term VISIBILITY.)

VISIBILITY [ICAO]

-

 The ability, as determined by atmospheric conditions and expressed in
units of distance,

to see and identify prominent unlighted objects by day and prominent
lighted objects by night.

a.

Flight Visibility

-

 The visibility forward from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight.

b.

Ground Visibility

-

 The visibility at an aerodrome as reported by an accredited observer.

c.

Runway Visual Range [RVR]

-

 The range over which the pilot of an aircraft on the centerline of a
runway

can see the runway surface markings or the lights delineating the
runway or identifying its centerline.
VISUAL APPROACH

-

 An approach conducted on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan
which authorizes

the pilot to proceed visually and clear of clouds to the airport. The
pilot must, at all times, have either the airport

or the preceding aircraft in sight. This approach must be authorized
and under the control of the appropriate air

traffic control facility. Reported weather at the airport must be:
ceiling at or above 1,000 feet, and visibility of

3 miles or greater.

(See ICAO term VISUAL APPROACH.)

VISUAL APPROACH [ICAO]

-

 An approach by an IFR flight when either part or all of an instrument
approach

procedure is not completed and the approach is executed in visual
reference to terrain.
VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR (VASI)

-

(See AIRPORT LIGHTING.)

VISUAL CLIMB OVER AIRPORT (VCOA)

-

 A departure option for an IFR aircraft, operating in visual

meteorological conditions equal to or greater than the specified
visibility and ceiling, to visually conduct

climbing turns over the airport to the published "climb

-

to" altitude from which to proceed with the instrument

portion of the departure. VCOA procedures are developed to avoid
obstacles greater than 3 statute miles from

the departure end of the runway as an alternative to complying with
climb gradients greater than 200 feet per

nautical mile. Pilots are responsible to advise ATC as early as
possible of the intent to fly the VCOA option prior

to departure. These textual procedures are published in the `Take

-

Off Minimums and (Obstacle) Departure

Procedures' section of the Terminal Procedures Publications and/or
appear as an option on a Graphic ODP.

(See AIM.)

VISUAL DESCENT POINT

-

 A defined point on the final approach course of a nonprecision
straight-in

approach procedure from which normal descent from the MDA to the runway
touchdown point may be

commenced, provided the approach threshold of that runway, or approach
lights, or other markings identifiable

with the approach end of that runway are clearly visible to the pilot.
VISUAL FLIGHT RULES

-

 Rules that govern the procedures for conducting flight under visual
conditions. The

term "VFR" is also used in the United States to
indicate weather conditions that are equal to or greater than

minimum VFR requirements. In addition, it is used by pilots and
controllers to indicate type of flight plan.

(See INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES.)
(See INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.)
(See VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.)
(Refer to 14 CFR Part 91.)
(Refer to AIM.)

-