Pilot/Controller Glossary

4/3/14

PCG V−3

3.

Rollout RVR− The RVR readout values

obtained from RVR equipment located nearest the

rollout end of the runway.

(See ICAO term FLIGHT VISIBILITY.)
(See ICAO term GROUND VISIBILITY.)
(See ICAO term RUNWAY VISUAL RANGE.)
(See ICAO term VISIBILITY.)

VISIBILITY [ICAO]− The ability, as determined by

atmospheric conditions and expressed in units of

distance, to see and identify prominent unlighted

objects by day and prominent lighted objects by

night.

a.

Flight Visibility−The visibility forward from

the cockpit of an aircraft in flight.

b.

Ground Visibility−The visibility at an aero-

drome as reported by an accredited observer.

c.

Runway Visual Range [RVR]−The range over

which the pilot of an aircraft on the centerline of a

runway can see the runway surface markings or the

lights delineating the runway or identifying its

centerline.
VISUAL APPROACH− An approach conducted on

an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan which

authorizes the pilot to proceed visually and clear of

clouds to the airport. The pilot must, at all times, have

either the airport or the preceding aircraft in sight.

This approach must be authorized and under the

control of the appropriate air traffic control facility.

Reported weather at the airport must be ceiling at or

above 1,000 feet and visibility of 3 miles or greater.

(See ICAO term VISUAL APPROACH.)

VISUAL APPROACH [ICAO]− An approach by an

IFR flight when either part or all of an instrument

approach procedure is not completed and the

approach is executed in visual reference to terrain.
VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR−

(See AIRPORT LIGHTING.)

VISUAL CLIMB OVER AIRPORT (VCOA)−  A

departure option for an IFR aircraft, operating in

visual meteorological conditions equal to or greater

than the specified visibility and ceiling, to visually

conduct climbing turns over the airport to the

published “climb−to” altitude from which to proceed

with the instrument portion of the departure. VCOA

procedures are developed to avoid obstacles greater

than 3 statute miles from the departure end of the

runway as an alternative to complying with climb

gradients greater than 200 feet per nautical mile.

These procedures are published in the ‘Take−Off

Minimums and (Obstacle) Departure Procedures’

section of the Terminal Procedures Publications.

(See AIM.)

VISUAL DESCENT POINT− A defined point on the

final approach course of a nonprecision straight-in

approach procedure from which normal descent from

the MDA to the runway touchdown point may be

commenced, provided the approach threshold of that

runway, or approach lights, or other markings

identifiable with the approach end of that runway are

clearly visible to the pilot.
VISUAL FLIGHT RULES− Rules that govern the

procedures for conducting flight under visual

conditions. The term “VFR” is also used in the

United States to indicate weather conditions that are

equal to or greater than minimum VFR requirements.

In addition, it is used by pilots and controllers to

indicate type of flight plan.

(See INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES.)
(See INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL

CONDITIONS.)

(See VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL

CONDITIONS.)

(Refer to 14 CFR Part 91.)
(Refer to AIM.)

VISUAL HOLDING− The holding of aircraft at

selected, prominent geographical fixes which can be

easily recognized from the air.

(See HOLDING FIX.)

VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS−

Meteorological conditions expressed in terms of

visibility, distance from cloud, and ceiling equal to or

better than specified minima.

(See INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES.)
(See INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL

CONDITIONS.)

(See VISUAL FLIGHT RULES.)

VISUAL SEGMENT−

(See PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH

PROCEDURE VISUAL SEGMENT.)