Can a pilot commence an approach when the reported RVR is below the operating minima?

Yes, there is no prohibition on the commencement of an approach based on the reported RVR or VIS for aeroplanes or helicopters. The restriction in SPO.OP.215 applies only to the continuation of the approach past a point where the aircraft is 1 000 ft above the aerodrome elevation or in the FAS, as applicable.

GM1 SPO.OP.215 Commencement and continuation of approach

Q: For helicopters, under what specific conditions does the prohibition to continue an approach apply?

For helicopters, the prohibition to continue the approach applies only if the RVR is reported and is below 550 m and is below the operating minima. There is no prohibition based on VIS.

Q: What should a pilot do if the reported RVR is 550 m or greater but less than the RVR calculated in accordance with AMC5 CAT.OP.MPA.110?

A go-around is likely to be necessary since visual reference may not be established at the DH or MDH. The pilot-in-command should consider available options, based on a thorough assessment of risk, such as diverting to an alternate, before commencing the approach.

Q: If a deterioration in RVR or VIS is reported after the aircraft is below 1 000 ft or in the FAS, is the approach required to be discontinued?

No, there is no requirement for the approach to be discontinued. In this situation, the normal visual reference requirements would apply at the DA/H.

Q: What is the advisory nature of additional RVR information such as midpoint and stop end reports?

Additional RVR information (e.g. midpoint and stop end) 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.

Q: In the absence of an RVR report, what might indicate that a go-around is likely for a helicopter approach?

In the absence of an RVR report, the reported visibility or a digital image may indicate that a go-around is likely.

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GM1 SPO.OP.215 Commencement and continuation of approach

ED Decision 2022/012/R

APPLICATION OF RVR OR VIS REPORTS — AEROPLANES

(a) There is no prohibition on the commencement of an approach based on the reported RVR or VIS. The restriction in SPO.OP.215 applies only if the RVR or VIS 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 in the FAS, as applicable.

APPLICATION OF RVR OR VIS REPORTS — HELICOPTERS

(b) There is no prohibition on the commencement of an approach based on the reported RVR. The restriction in SPO.OP.215 applies to the continuation of the approach past a point where the aircraft is 1 000 ft above the aerodrome elevation or into the FAS, as applicable.

The prohibition to continue the approach applies only if the RVR is reported and is below 550 m and is below the operating minima. There is no prohibition based on VIS.

(c) If the reported RVR is 550 m or greater, but it is less than the RVR calculated in accordance with AMC5 CAT.OP.MPA.110, a go-around is likely to be necessary since visual reference may not be established at the DH or MDH. Similarly, in the absence of an RVR report, the reported visibility or a digital image may indicate that a go-around is likely. The pilot-in-command should consider available options, based on a thorough assessment of risk, such as diverting to an alternate, before commencing the approach.

APPLICATION OF RVR OR VIS REPORTS — ALL AIRCRAFT

(d) If a deterioration in the RVR or VIS is reported once the aircraft is below 1 000 ft or in 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.

(e) 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. For operations where the aircraft will be controlled manually during roll-out, Table 1 in AMC1 SPA.LVO.100(a) provides an indication of the RVR that may be required to allow manual lateral control of the aircraft on the runway.

Details

Source-Title: GM1 SPO.OP.215 Commencement and continuation of approach View latest amendments

Erulesid: ERULES-1963177438-19761 Compare versions

Domain: Air operations

Applicabilitydate: 30 October, 2022

Entryintoforcedate: 1 July, 2022

Regulatorysource: ED Decision 2022/012/R Navigate

Regulatorysubject: Part-SPO

Typeofcontent: GM to IR (Guidance material to implementing rule)

Parentir: SPO.OP.215 Commencement and continuation of approach

Origin: EASA

Category: EAR