GM4 NCO.OP.110 Aerodrome operating minima – aeroplanes and helicopters    

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 1

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

(a) The minimum RVR/CMV/VIS should be the highest of the values specified in Table 2  and  Table 3.A but not greater than the maximum values specified in Table 3.A, where applicable.

(b) The values in Table 2 should be derived from the formula below:

required RVR/VIS (m) = [(DH/MDH (ft) x 0.3048) / tanα] – length of approach lights (m);

where α is the calculation angle, being a default value of 3.00° increasing in steps of 0.10° for each line in Table 2 up to 3.77° and then remaining constant.

(c) If the approach is flown with a level flight segment at or above MDA/H, 200 m should be added for Category A and B aeroplanes and 400 m for Category C and D aeroplanes to the minimum RVR/CMV/VIS value resulting from the application of Table 2 and Table 3.A.

(d) An RVR of less than 750 m, as indicated in Table 2, may be used:

    (1) for CAT I operations to runways with full approach lighting system (FALS), runway touchdown zone lights (RTZL) and runway centreline lights (RCLL);

    (2) for CAT I operations to runways without RTZL and RCLL when using an approved head-up guidance landing system (HUDLS), or equivalent approved system, or when conducting a coupled approach or flight-director-flown approach to a DH. The instrument landing system (ILS) should not be published as a restricted facility; and

    (3) for approach procedure with vertical guidance (APV) operations to runways with FALS, RTZL and RCLL when using an approved head-up display (HUD).

(e) Lower values than those specified in Table 2 may be used for HUDLS and auto-land operations if approved in accordance with SPA.LVO.

(f) The visual aids should comprise standard runway day markings and approach and runway lights as specified in Table 1. The CAA may approve that RVR values relevant to a basic approach lighting system (BALS) are used on runways where the approach lights are restricted in length below 210 m due to terrain or water, but where at least one cross-bar is available.

(g) For night operations or for any operation where credit for runway and approach lights is required, the lights should be on and serviceable, except as provided for in Table 1.

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

    (1) an RVR of less than 800 m, as indicated in Table 2, may be used for CAT I approaches provided any of the following is used at least down to the applicable DH:

      (i) a suitable autopilot, coupled to an ILS, microwave landing system (MLS) or GBAS landing system (GLS) that is not published as restricted; or

      (ii) an approved HUDLS, including, where appropriate, enhanced vision system (EVS), or equivalent approved system;

    (2) where RTZL and/or RCLL are not available, the minimum RVR/CMV should not be less than 600 m; and

    (3) an RVR of less than 800 m, as indicated in Table 2, may be used for APV operations to runways with FALS, RTZL and RCLL when using an approved HUDLS, or equivalent approved system, or when conducting a coupled approach to a DH equal to or greater than 250 ft.

 

Table 1: Approach lighting systems

Class of lighting facility

Length, configuration and intensity of approach lights

FALS

CAT I lighting system (HIALS ≥ 720 m) distance coded centreline, Barrette centreline

IALS

Simple approach lighting system (HIALS 420 – 719 m) single source, Barrette

BALS

Any other approach lighting system (HIALS, MIALS or ALS 210 – 419 m)

NALS

Any other approach lighting system (HIALS, MIALS or ALS < 210 m) or no approach lights

Note: HIALS: high intensity approach lighting system; MIALS: medium intensity approach lighting system; ALS: approach lighting system.

 

Table 2: RVR/CMV vs. DH/MDH

DH OR MNH Class of lighting facility
FALS IALS BALS NALS
See (d), (e), (h). above for RVR < 750/800 m
ft RVR/CMV (m)
200    - 210 550 750 1000 1200
211   - 220 550 800 1000 1200
221   - 230 550 800 1000 1200
231    - 240 550 800 1000 1200
241    - 250 550 800 1000 1300
251    - 260 600 800 1100 1300
261    - 280 600 900 1100 1300
281    - 300 650 900 1200 1400
301    - 320 700 1000 1200 1400
321    - 340 800 1100 1300 1500
341    - 360 900 1200 1400 1600
361    - 380 1000 1300 1500 1700
381    - 400 1100 1400 1600 1800
401   - 420 1200 1500 1700 1900
421    - 440 1300 1600 1800 2000
441    - 460 1400 1700 1900 2100
461    - 480 1500 1800 2000 2200
481    - 500 1500 1800 2100 2300
501    - 520 1600 1900 2100 2400
521    - 540 1700 2000 2200 2400
541   - 560 1800 2100 2300 2500
561    - 580 1900 2200 2400 2600
581    - 600 2000 2300 2500 2700
601    - 620 2100 2400 2600 2800
621    - 640 2200 2500 2700 2900
641    - 660 2300 2600 2800 3000
661   - 680 2400 2700 2900 3100
681    - 700 2500 2800 3000 3200
701    - 720 2600 2900 3100 3300
721    - 740 2700 3000 3200 3400
741    - 760 2700 3000 3300 3500
761    - 800 2900 3200 3400 3600
801    - 850 3100 3400 3600 3800
851   - 900 3300 3600 3800 4000
901   - 950 3600 3900 4100 4300
951    - 1000 3800 4100 4300 4500
1001    - 1100 4100 4400 4600 4900
1101   - 1200 4600 4900 5000 5000
1201 and above 5000 5000 5000 5000

 

Table 3.A: CAT I, APV, NPA — aeroplanes

Minimum and maximum applicable RVR/CMV (lower and upper cut-off limits)

Facility/conditions

RVR/CMV

(m)

Aeroplane category

A

B

C

D

ILS, MLS, GLS, PAR, GNSS/SBAS, GNSS/VNAV

Min

According to Table 2

Max

1 500

1 500

2 400

2 400

NDB, NDB/DME, VOR, VOR/DME, LOC, LOC/DME, VDF, SRA, GNSS/LNAV with a procedure that fulfils the criteria in GM3 NCO.OP.110(a)(2)

Min

750

750

750

750

Max

1 500

1 500

2 400

2 400

For NDB, NDB/DME, VOR, VOR/DME, LOC, LOC/DME, VDF, SRA, GNSS/LNAV:

    — not fulfilling the criteria in GM3 NCO.OP.110(a)(2), or

    — with a DH or MDH ≥ 1 200 ft

Min

1 000

1 000

1 200

1 200

Max

According to Table 2 if flown using the CDFA technique, otherwise an add-on of 200/400 m applies to the values in Table 2 but not to result in a value exceeding 5 000 m.

 

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 2, 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.