Quantcast

Runway visual range systems enhance safety amid low-visibility weather conditions

Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
Report: JetBlue, United Mulling Partnership
New First-Class Suites, Futuristic Aircraft and the Top Air Travel News From April 2025
Southwest Airlines Announces Reimagined Fare Products, New Benefits for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers and Tier Member Customers
New Alaska Airlines trading cards take flight this World Pilots’ Day - Alaska Airlines News
United CEO calls Trump's tariffs a 'chess game'
Virtual Training Becomes a Reality
Korean Air Restarts Longest 747 Passenger Flight in the World
Flight tickets from Srinagar remain exorbitantly high despite aviation ministry request
RTX Q1 Earnings & Sales Beat Estimates, Increase Year Over Year
Delta faces federal investigation as it scraps hundreds of flights for fifth straight day
Coalition pledges to remove EV tax break two days after Dutton ruled out scrapping it – as it happened
Adani’s airport unit seeks $750 million loan from global banks
GE Aerospace affirms outlook; CEO met with Trump to discuss tariffs
Flight made emergency landing in Denver after reported animal strike and engine fire
General Dynamics says G800 jet receives FAA, EASA certifications
Archer unveils plans for NYC air-taxi network in partnership with United Airlines
United Airlines doubles down on Chicago roots with new O'Hare billboards
ICAO Proposes ‘Journey Pass’ Biometric ID Boarding
Gatwick airport strikes, Easter 2025: will my flight be cancelled?
Boarding passes and check-in could be scrapped in air travel shake-up
The most in Mexico: American Airlines adds 30th destination as part of a record-breaking schedule
European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
The EU rule change that could affect millions of Brits when their flight is delayed or cancelled
Delta Earnings Land Soon. Why They’re Key for Airline Stocks and the Economy.
Avelo Airlines to Operate Deportation Flights, Hiring Flight Attendants
Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe
Qatar Airways accelerates Starlink wifi implementation
Runway visual range systems enhance safety amid low-visibility weather conditions
Research
Webp 8oqxsxvoo4u54j4f99go99w8ygxu
AviationPros | AviationPros

An effective runway visual range (RVR) system provides pilots and air traffic controllers with crucial visibility data, essential for informed decision-making. Weather is a significant cause of delays in the National Airspace System, responsible for nearly 75% of delays and over 20% of general aviation accidents. Low visibility remains a persistent challenge.

Weather events like fog, heavy rain, snow, and sandstorms can drastically reduce visibility, affecting airport operations and safety. An efficient RVR system offers real-time data to address these challenges.

Visibility is defined differently depending on context. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines it for aeronautical purposes, while the World Meteorological Organization measures atmospheric visibility as meteorological optical range (MOR). RVR measures the distance visible along a runway using lights and markings. It can be up to five times greater than MOR at night.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

According to ICAO, precise RVR assessments are mandatory when visibility falls below 800 meters. Below this threshold, RVR reporting is required for precise approaches and landings with values ranging from below 50 m to 2000 m. Historically, human observers manually assessed visibility by counting runway edge lights but this method is impractical due to potential errors.

Modern RVR systems use advanced sensor technologies: transmissometers measure light attenuation directly and forward scatter sensors assess light scattering caused by airborne particles. The choice between these depends on an airport’s operational needs.

High-traffic or international hubs might prioritize transmissometers due to their precision while regional airports could benefit from forward scatter sensors’ cost-effectiveness and flexibility.

ICAO recommends placing RVR sensors at three key locations: touchdown zones where landing decisions are made; midpoints along the landing path; endpoints ensuring complete coverage for departures and landings.

Integrating RVR systems with runway lighting enhances decision-making accuracy as readings fluctuate based on lighting conditions. Data accessibility is crucial; ATC personnel need real-time values displayed on dedicated screens for effective communication with pilots.

Routine maintenance ensures long-term reliability of RVR systems through regular cleaning, calibration updates, and redundancy measures to prevent disruptions during failures.

Costa Rica's Juan Santamaría International Airport serves as an example where an automated transmissometer-based system improved efficiency during inclement weather by providing continuous real-time data aiding faster air traffic control decisions.

As aviation technology advances further investment in modern RVR systems supports operational safety enhancing passenger trust by minimizing disruptions elevating safety standards across airports globally.

"Seeing the Approach Forward: Why RVR Investment Pays Off"

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The 13th Annual Breast Care International Walk for the Cure took place in Kumasi, Ghana, drawing around 30,000 participants, including survivors, healthcare professionals, students, traditional leaders, and advocates.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025