Pilot/Controller Glossary

8/15/19

PCG V

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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]

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 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

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 The visibility forward from

the cockpit of an aircraft in flight.

b.

Ground Visibility

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 The visibility at an

aerodrome 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

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 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]

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 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
(VASI)

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(See AIRPORT LIGHTING.)

VISUAL CLIMB OVER AIRPORT (VCOA)

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  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

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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.
Pilots are responsible to advise ATC as early as
possible of the intent to fly the VCOA option prior to
departure. These textual procedures are published in
the ‘Take

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Off Minimums and (Obstacle) Departure

Procedures’ section of the Terminal Procedures
Publications and/or appear as an option on a Graphic
ODP.

(See AIM.)

VISUAL DESCENT POINT

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 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

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 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

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 The holding of aircraft at

selected, prominent geographical fixes which can be
easily recognized from the air.

(See HOLDING FIX.)

VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

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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

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(See PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH

PROCEDURE VISUAL SEGMENT.)