Runway visual range, or RVR, precisely measures the distance that a pilot flying an ILS approach might expect to see when looking down the runway in those critical seconds just before touchdown. Because landing and some takeoff minimums are based on visibility, an operating RVR system is a vital operational element to support the high arrival and departure rates demanded at busy airports.
How It Works: Runway Visual Range
Key Takeaways:
- Runway Visual Range (RVR) is a critical measurement of visibility down a runway for pilots during landing and takeoff, essential for supporting high operational rates at busy airports.
- A typical RVR system consists of forward scatterometer visibility sensors, ambient light sensors, and a runway light intensity monitor, often deployed at multiple points along the runway.
- Data from these sensors is processed to calculate the RVR, which is then displayed to air traffic controllers to update pilots on approach for accurate visibility information.
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