Where is the RVR value measured from?

The RVR, or Runway Visual Range, value is measured near the touchdown point of the runway. This measurement is critical for assessing the visibility conditions that pilots will experience as they land. The RVR provides pilots with an indication of how far they can see down the runway, which directly impacts their decision to continue an approach or attempt a landing.

Measuring the RVR at the touchdown point ensures that pilots have accurate information relevant to their final approach and landing phase. This data is typically gathered through ground-based sensors that can assess visibility conditions, particularly during adverse weather situations such as fog or heavy precipitation.

Other locations, such as the aircraft’s cockpit, the control tower, or along the flight path, do not provide the specialized information needed for landing. For instance, while the aircraft’s cockpit may have various visibility parameters available, it does not measure RVR itself. The control tower can observe visibility but must rely on RVR instruments located by the runway for the specific landing conditions. Similarly, measuring RVR along the flight path does not accurately reflect the conditions immediately at the runway threshold where the landing decision is made.