AMC6 NCC.OP.110 Aerodrome operating minima – general    

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 1

DETERMINATION OF RVR/CMV/VIS MINIMA FOR NPA, CAT I — HELICOPTERS

(a) For non-precision approach (NPA) operations the minima specified in Table 4.1.H should apply:

    (1) where the missed approach point is within ½ NM of the landing threshold, the approach minima specified for FALS may be used regardless of the length of approach lights available. However, FATO/runway edge lights, threshold lights, end lights and FATO/runway markings are still required;

    (2) for night operations, ground lights should be available to illuminate the FATO/runway and any obstacles; and

    (3) for single-pilot operations, the minimum RVR is 800 m or the minima in Table 4.2.H, whichever is higher.

(b) For CAT I operations, the minima specified in Table 4.2.H should apply:

    (1) for night operations, ground light should be available to illuminate the FATO/runway and any obstacles;

    (2) for single-pilot operations, the minimum RVR/VIS should be calculated in accordance with the following additional criteria:

      (i) an RVR of less than 800 m should not be used except when using a suitable autopilot coupled to an ILS, MLS or GLS, in which case normal minima apply; and

      (ii) the DH applied should not be less than 1.25 times the minimum use height for the autopilot.

Table 4.1.H : Onshore NPA minima

MDH (ft) *

Facilities vs. RVR/CMV (m) **, ***

FALS

IALS

BALS

NALS

250 – 299

600

800

1 000

1 000

300 – 449

800

1 000

1 000

1 000

450 and above

1 000

1 000

1 000

1 000

*: The MDH refers to the initial calculation of MDH. When selecting the associated RVR, there is no need to take account of a rounding up to the nearest 10 ft, which may be done for operational purposes, e.g. conversion to MDA.

**: The tables are only applicable to conventional approaches with a nominal descent slope of not greater than 4°. Greater descent slopes will usually require that visual glide slope guidance (e.g. precision path approach indicator (PAPI)) is also visible at the MDH.

***: FALS comprise FATO/runway markings, 720 m or more of high intensity/medium intensity (HI/MI) approach lights, FATO/runway edge lights, threshold lights and FATO/runway end lights. Lights to be on. IALS comprise FATO/runway markings, 420 – 719 m of HI/MI approach lights, FATO/runway edge lights, threshold lights and FATO/runway end lights. Lights to be on.

BALS comprise FATO/runway markings, < 420 m of HI/MI approach lights, any length of low intensity (LI) approach lights, FATO/runway edge lights, threshold lights and FATO/runway end lights. Lights to be on. NALs comprise FATO/runway markings, FATO/runway edge lights, threshold lights, FATO/runway end lights or no lights at all.

Table 4.2.H: Onshore CAT I minima

DH (ft) *

Facilities vs. RVR/CMV (m) **, ***

FALS

IALS

BALS

NALS

200

500

600

700

1 000

201 – 250

550

650

750

1 000

251 – 300

600

700

800

1 000

301 and above

750

800

900

1 000

*: The DH refers to the initial calculation of DH. When selecting the associated RVR, there is no need to take account of a rounding up to the nearest 10 ft, which may be done for operational purposes, e.g. conversion to DA.

**: The table is applicable to conventional approaches with a glide slope up to and including 4°.

***: FALS comprise FATO/runway markings, 720 m or more of HI/MI approach lights, FATO/runway edge lights, threshold lights and FATO/runway end lights. Lights to be on.

IALS comprise FATO/runway markings, 420 – 719 m of HI/MI approach lights, FATO/runway edge lights, threshold lights and FATO/runway end lights. Lights to be on.

BALS comprise FATO/runway markings, < 420 m of HI/MI approach lights, any length of LI approach lights, FATO/runway edge lights, threshold lights and FATO/runway end lights. Lights to be on.

NALS comprise FATO/runway markings, FATO/runway edge lights, threshold lights, FATO/runway end lights or no lights at all.