NCO.OP.210 Commencement and continuation of approach — aeroplanes and helicopters

VISUAL REFERENCES

(a)For a straight-in approach, at DH or MDH, at least one of the visual references specified below should be distinctly visible and identifiable to the pilot:

(1)elements of the approach lighting system;

(2)the threshold;

(3)the threshold markings;

(4)the threshold lights;

(5)the threshold identification lights;

(6)the visual glide path indicator;

(7)the touchdown zone (TDZ) or TDZ markings;

(8)the TDZ lights;

(9)FATO/runway edge lights;

(10)for helicopter PinS approaches, the identification beacon light and visual ground reference;

(11)for helicopter PinS approaches, the identifiable elements of the environment defined on the instrument chart; or

(12)for helicopter PinS approaches with instructions to ‘proceed VFR’, sufficient visual cues to determine that the conditions for VFR are met.

(b)For a circling approach, the required visual reference is the runway environment.

RVR MINIMA FOR CONTINUED APPROACH

(a)The controlling RVR should be the touchdown RVR.

(b)If the touchdown RVR is not reported, then the midpoint RVR should be the controlling RVR.

(c)If neither the touchdown RVR nor the midpoint RVR is reported, then NCO.OP.210(a) is not applicable.

APPLICATION OF RVR REPORTS

(a)There is no prohibition on the commencement of an approach based on reported RVR. The restriction in NCO.OP.210 applies only if the RVR is reported and applies to the continuation of the approach past a point where the aircraft is 1 000 ft above the aerodrome elevation or into the final approach segment (FAS) as applicable.

(b)If a deterioration in the RVR is reported once the aircraft is below 1 000 ft on the FAS, as applicable, then there is no requirement for the approach to be discontinued. In this situation, the normal visual reference requirements would apply at the DA/H.

(c)Where additional RVR information is provided (e.g. midpoint and stop end), this is advisory; such information may be useful to the pilot in order to determine whether there will be sufficient visual reference to control the aircraft during roll-out and taxi.

(d)If the RVR is less than the RVR calculated in accordance with AMC3 NCO.OP.110, a go-around is likely to be necessary since visual reference may not be established at the DH, or at the MDH at a point where a stable approach to landing in the TDZ remains possible. Similarly, in the absence of an RVR report, the reported visibility may indicate that a go-around is likely. The pilotincommand should consider available options, based on a thorough assessment of risk, such as diverting to an alternate, before commencing the approach.