AMC6 NCC.OP.110 Aerodrome operating minima – general

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 47

Text in magenta in force from 30 October 2025

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.

The text below will replace the text above on 30 October 2025:

DETERMINATION OF RVR OR VIS FOR TYPE A INSTRUMENT APPROACH AND TYPE B CAT I INSTRUMENT APPROACH OPERATIONS — HELICOPTERS

  1. For IFR operations, the RVR or VIS should not be less than the greatest of:

    1. the minimum RVR or VIS for the type of runway/FATO used according to Table 11;

    2. the minimum RVR determined according to the MDH or DH and class of lighting facility according to Table 12; or

    3. for PinS operations with instructions to ‘proceed visually’, the distance between the MAPt of the PinS and the FATO or its approach light system.

    If the value determined in (1) is a VIS, then the result is a minimum VIS. In all other cases, the result is a minimum RVR.

  2. For PinS operations with instructions to ‘proceed VFR’, the VIS should be compatible with visual flight rules.

  3. For Type A instrument approaches where the MAPt 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.

  4. An RVR of less than 800 m should not be used except when using a suitable autopilot coupled to an ILS, MLS, GLS or LPV, in which case normal minima apply.

  5. For night operations, ground lights should be available to illuminate the FATO/runway and any obstacles.

  6. The visual aids should comprise standard runway day markings, runway edge lights, threshold lights and runway end lights and approach lights as specified in Table 13.

  7. For night operations or for any operation where credit for runway and approach lights as defined in Table 13 is required, the lights should be on and serviceable except as provided for in Table 15.

Table 11

Type of runway/FATO versus minimum RVR — helicopters

Type of runway/FATO

Minimum RVR or VIS (m)

PA runway, category I

 RVR 550

NPA runway

 RVR 550

Non-instrument runway

 RVR 550

Instrument FATO

 RVR 550

FATO

RVR or VIS 800

Table 12

Onshore helicopter instrument approach minima

DH/MDH (ft)

 Facilities versus RVR (m)*

FALS

IALS

BALS

NALS

200

550

600

700

1 000

201–249

550

650

750

1 000

250–299

600*

700*

800

1 000

300 and above

750*

800

900

1 000

*Minima on 2D approach operations should be no lower than 800 m.

Table 13

Approach lighting systems — helicopters

Class of lighting facility

Length, configuration and intensity of approach lights

FALS

CAT I lighting system (HIALS ≥720 m) distance coded centre line, barrette centre line

IALS

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

BALS

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

NALS

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