A-74-019
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
ISSUE AN ADVISORY CIRCULAR WHICH DESCRIBES THE RVR EQUIPMENT AND EMPHASIZES THAT THE RVR VALVE IS A SAMPLING OF A SMALL SEGMENT OF THE ATMOSPHERE, USUALLY NEAR THE TOUCHDOWN POINT. IT SHOULD ALSO BE EMPASIZED THAT RVR VALUE DOES NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT ACTUAL RUNWAY VISIBILITY CONDITIONS NEAR THE TOUCHDOWN POINT AND INCLUDES A SIGNIFICANT TIME DELAY BEFORE REACHING THE CREW. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD ALSO BE PLACED IN THE AIRMAN'S INFORMATION MANUAL.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA is asked to issue guidance clarifying that Runway Visual Range readings are based on a small sample of air near where planes land and may not reflect actual visibility conditions at that spot. This information should also be included in the Airman's Information Manual to warn pilots that there is a significant delay between when the measurement is taken and when it reaches them.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Sep 14, 1978 |
| NTSB number | DCA74AZ004 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).