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) measures the distance a pilot can see down the runway during an ILS approach, crucial for meeting landing and takeoff minimums and supporting high airport traffic.
- A typical RVR system integrates multiple sensors, including forward scatterometer visibility sensors (often at touchdown, midpoint, rollout positions), ambient light sensors, and runway light intensity monitors.
- These sensors collect data on atmospheric particle density and background light impact, which is then processed to calculate and display the final RVR readout to air traffic controllers for pilot advisories.
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