Originally Posted by
Fokker28
That's not quite correct. If you have the runway environment, but do not have the required flight visibility (sounds like 2400RVR in this case), you may NOT land.
you are still incorrect. RVR is not the same as flight visibility. rvr is a ground based instrument. like the post below me said pilots determine the flight visibility. If once you descend to the mda, you have the runway environment insight you can land no matter what the reported visibility is. you really need to study your 121 regs. Sorry if this is old news to some of you guys, just trying to help fokker28 out.
Part 121 OPERATING REQUIREMENTS: DOMESTIC, FLAG, AND SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATIONS
Subpart U--Dispatching and Flight Release Rules
Sec. 121.651
c) If a pilot has begun the final approach segment of an instrument approach procedure in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, and after that receives a later weather report indicating below-minimum conditions, the pilot may continue the approach to DH or MDA. Upon reaching DH or at MDA, and at any time before the missed approach point, the pilot may continue the approach below DH or MDA if either the requirements of Sec. 91.175(l) of this chapter, or the following requirements are met:
]
(1) The aircraft is continuously in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway can be made at a normal rate of descent using normal maneuvers, and where that descent rate will allow touchdown to occur within the touchdown zone of the runway of intended landing;
(2)
The flight visibility is not less than the visibility prescribed in the standard instrument approach procedure being used;
(3) Except for Category II or Category III approaches where any necessary visual reference requirements are specified by authorization of the Administrator, at least one of the following visual references for the intended runway is distinctly visible and identifiable to the pilot:
(i) The approach light system, except that the pilot may not descend below 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation using the approach lights as a reference unless the red terminating bars or the red side row bars are also distinctly visible and identifiable.
(ii) The threshold.
(iii) The threshold markings.
(iv) The threshold lights.
(v) The runway end identifier lights.
(vi) The visual approach slope indicator.
(vii) The touchdown zone or touchdown zone markings.
(viii) The touchdown zone lights.
(ix) The runway or runway markings.
(x) The runway lights; and
Who determines flight visibility?? the crew of course. The guys in the tower cant determine flight visibility, the automated weather cant say what you as the pilot can see. Now is there a way to say how far you as the pilot can see?? of course not, but after shooting an approach, arriving at the minimums, and having the runway in sight, you are perfectly legal to land. I hope this helps you understand Fokker.
now as to whether they SHOULD have landed or not is a different story. I think the biggest mistake here is him saying he lost the runway. once the environment was lost he no longer satisfied the requirements of this section.