VOLUME 4 AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AND OPERATIONAL AUTHORIZATION CHAPTER 2 ALL-WEATHER TERMINAL AREA OPERATIONS Section 7 Category III Operations:
4-348 ESTABLISHING CAT III OPERATING MINIMA
1) The RVR 1000 level is normally used for initial CAT IIIa operations for an
aircraft new to an operator, unless that operator has received operational credit for using the
Special Process for Minima Reduction. Operators receiving this special operational credit may conduct initial CAT IIIa operations with RVR 700 minima.
2) The RVR 700 level is the basic level for CAT IIIa operations. This level is the
lowest minimum that can be authorized for fail passive operations. RVR 700 is also the lowest minimum that can be authorized for operations with fail operational landing systems, which do not have a rollout control capability. Additionally, operations at runways which have ILS localizer restrictions (such as localizer unusable for rollout) are limited to the RVR 700 minimum.
3)
The RVR 600 level is the current (2005) standard level for CAT III operations in the U.S. due to RVR reporting limitations, limitations to taxiway centerline lighting, and ground movement and control limitations. The RVR 600 level is also the lowest minimum that can be authorized at any airport for fail operational landing systems, which do not have at least a fail passive rollout control system.
4) The RVR 300 level is the lowest minimum that can be currently
authorized (2005) for operations by U.S. operators at any airport. This limitation is due to major limitations associated with the ground movement of aircraft and vehicles and the provision of timely crash, fire, and rescue facilities and services when operating in seeing-conditions less than
those equivalent to RVR 300. Operations below RVR 300 are not foreseen until all of these limitations are resolved.
5) RVR 150 level operations are not foreseen in the near future. Operations at this level are not foreseen until the aircraft and essential ground vehicles can be reliably maneuvered on the airport without relying on normal external visual references (for example, forward looking infrared sensors).
Lack of knowledge doesn't absolve of responsibility
