Visibility definitions
Six visibility terms (CARs 101.01(1)):
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Flight visibility | Visibility forward from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight |
| Ground visibility | Aerodrome visibility in a weather observation reported by a source below; the METAR figure |
| Runway visibility | Distance along a runway over which a person can see and recognize a visibility marker or lights of about 1,000 candelas |
| RVR (runway visual range) | Range over which a pilot on the runway centre line can expect to see the runway surface markings, or the lights delineating or identifying the centre line |
| Visibility report | Report that may include runway visibility, ground visibility, and RVR only |
| Prevailing visibility | Maximum visibility value common to sectors covering half or more of the horizontal circle around the station; human observation, not an automated sensor (TC AIM RAC 9.20.1) |
Ground visibility reported by:
- ATC unit
- FSS or FIC
- CARS
- AWOS run by DOT, DND, or the Atmospheric Environment Service
- Ground radio station operated by an air operator
Trap: flight visibility (forward from cockpit) is not ground visibility (aerodrome METAR figure).
References
- CARs 101.01(1) (flight visibility, ground visibility, runway visibility, RVR, visibility report)
- TC AIM GEN 5.1 (flight visibility, ground visibility)
- TC AIM RAC 9.20.1 (prevailing visibility, RVR)