Low Visibility Operations (LVO)

• Low Visibility Operations (LVO) are defined as any takeoff when the Runway Visual Range (RVR) is below 400m or any landing when the RVR is below 550m
• Port page minima is mandatory for LVO approaches.

Operational Requirements for LVO

• Qualified flight crew
• Suitably equipped airport with RVR above minima
• Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) are in force
• Serviceable aircraft

Taxiway Lighting

• Blue lights mark taxiway edges.
• Red lights mark holding points.
• Green lights indicate the taxiway centerline.
• Yellow lights define the taxi clearance line.

Approach Lighting

• The last 1000 feet of approach lighting alternates red and white.

Runway Lighting

• The Touchdown Zone (TDZ) lighting extends for 3000 feet.
• Alternate red and white lights are used for the last 3000 feet of the runway.
• Amber edge lights appear in the last 2000 feet.
• All-red lights are present in the last 1000 feet of the runway.

EICAS Messages Before 1500ft

• Before reaching 1500 feet, confirmation is needed that there are no EICAS messages such as:
  • SGL SOURCE DISPLAYS
  • SGL SOURCE RAD ALT
  • SGL SOURCE ILS

Alert Height

• Alert Height is 200ft AGL (Above Ground Level).

Go-Around Conditions

• A go-around is required if any of the following occur:
  • NO AUTOLAND is annunciated
  • AUTOPILOT disengages
  • SPEEDBRAKE is extended
  • AUTOTHROTTLE is disconnected

Autoland System Categories

• LAND 3: A single fault will not prevent the autopilot from making an automatic landing (Fail Operational).
• LAND 2: A single fault will not cause significant deviation from the flight path (Fail Passive).

LVO Autoland Limits

• Flap settings of 20 or 30 degrees are allowed (some aircraft may permit F25).
• Headwind limit is 25 knots.
• Crosswind limit is 25 knots.
• Tailwind limit is 25 knots.

Takeoff Requirements

• The Pilot in Command (PIC) is prohibited from taking off when the RVR or cloud ceiling is below specified minima.
• The PIC can assess RVR by counting runway edge lights (spaced 60m apart) if no RVR is reported.
• A takeoff alternate is required when the departure aerodrome is below approach minima.
• Takeoff alternates must be within 400nm (1 hour engine inoperative cruise speed).

Destination Alternate Requirements

• Two alternates must be selected if the weather forecast at the destination (1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA) is below applicable minima
• Alternates must meet CAT 1 RVR criteria (except in the USA and Canada)
• Fuel must be sufficient to reach the furthest alternate.

ILS Signal Disruption

• Short term disruption: The autopilot disregards the ILS signal + continues in a stabilized mode (up to 30 seconds before warning).
• Long term disruption: Aircraft remains in attitude stabilized mode (autopilot does not disconnect) + Amber line appears through the affected mode + EICAS caution + Master caution + flight director disappears.

AFDS Changes

• At 1500ft RA, the AFDS (Autoflight System) changes to LAND 3.
• Between 1500ft RA and the alert height (200ft RA), the system can downgrade from fail-operational to fail-passive (LAND 2).
• Below alert height, no changes occur.
• Category 3B approaches require LAND 3.
• Category 3A or 2 approaches require LAND 2.
• NO AUTOLAND requires Category 1 minima.

Taxiing Procedures

• Use engine anti-ice as required.
• Verify position after pushback.
• Cross-check expected headings with the compass.
• Delay before takeoff at the holding point if necessary.

Takeoff Procedures

• Turn on landing lights (if required).
• Tune the ILS and confirm LOC upon line-up.
• Transfer to instruments and engage the autopilot as soon as possible.

Landing Considerations

• LVO and Autoland requirements on port page.
• Confirm wind is within limits.
• Confirm the approach category and reversion capability.
• Verify runway lighting systems are available.
• Anticipate the expected exit point and associated taxi routes (some airports have dedicated LVO taxi routes).