CAR 602 specifies take-offs for all Canadian aircraft as being governed by visibility only, approach restrictions by RVR values only, and landings by published DH/MDAs only.
CAR 602.96 (2)(b) requires that before taking off from, landing at or otherwise operating an aircraft at an aerodrome, the pilot-in-command of the aircraft shall be satisfied that the aerodrome is suitable for the intended operation. One factor that needs to be considered to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements above is the Aerodrome Operating Visibility. The Aerodrome operating visibility is defined as follows:
For arrivals and departures, the aerodrome operating visibility is in accordance with the following hierarchy:
NOTE: Tower observed visibility does not take precedence over reported ground visibility. Where ground visibility is reported, tower observed visibility is considered advisory only. However, where ground visibility is either not reported or the visibility reported by the AWOS is non-representative of the prevailing visibility at the airport, tower reported visibility, when available, replaces ground visibility and needs to be considered in the determination of the aerodrome operating visibility.
For arrivals, the aerodrome operating visibility is in accordance with the following hierarchy:
For departures, the aerodrome operating visibility is the lowest of the following visibilities:
Where the Aerodrome Operating Visibility is less than the minimum visibility published in the CFS, taxi operations are deemed to be occurring below the published aerodrome operating visibility; except when:
*NOTE: Where required, the aerodrome operator will publish special reduced/low visibility restrictions or procedures for pilots in the appropriate aeronautical publication(s).
Where the aerodrome operating visibility is less than the minimum visibility published in the CFS, a landing is deemed to occur below the published aerodrome operating visibility for the runway of intended use, except where:
Low and reduced visibility procedures apply to ground movements of aircraft arriving and departing under low or reduced visibility conditions. Arrivals and departures below RVR 600 are not authorized. When weather conditions indicate visibility below RVR 2600 is imminent procedures will be implemented restricting aircraft and vehicle operations on the movement area. The following message will be added to the ATIS broadcast: “LOW VISIBILITY PROCEDURES IN EFFECT” or “REDUCED VISIBILITY PROCEDURES IN EFFECT”.
The CAP will contain a Low Visibility Procedures Page and a Low Visibility Taxi Chart for aerodromes with runways certified to operate below RVR 1200 down to and including RVR 600. Aerodromes with runways certified for Reduced Visibility procedures (RVR 2600 down to and including RVR 1200) may have a Reduced Visibility Procedures Page and a Reduced Visibility Taxi Chart if there are special pilot procedures that need to be published.
The CAP will also contain the level of service for each runway in the Aerodrome Chart. The certification will list the RVR number (“RVR 1200”) if the runway has RVR equipment or only the statute mile visibility (“1⁄4 SM”) if no RVR equipment is present. An entry of RVR 600 indicates the runway meets the requirements to operate below RVR 1200 (1⁄4 SM) down to and including RVR 600.
REFERENCES CAP GEN - Operating Minima