Definition
Enhanced Flight Visibility (EFV) is the average forward horizontal distance, from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight, at which prominent topographical objects can be clearly distinguished and identified by day or night using an enhanced flight vision system (EFVS). It is the visibility achieved through the imaging sensor — typically infrared — rather than what the pilot sees with the naked eye.
Plain English
It's how far ahead the pilot can clearly see and identify things on the ground when looking through the special imaging system mounted on the aircraft. The system 'sees through' darkness or low visibility better than the human eye alone, and this distance is what counts for certain low-visibility approaches.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach, low-visibility operation, and enhanced flight vision system discussions.
Derivation
Enhanced' comes from Latin 'in-' (in) and Old French 'haucier' (to raise) — meaning 'made greater or improved.' Here, it signals that the visibility is improved beyond what the unaided eye can achieve, because a sensor is doing the seeing.
Why Pilots Care
Determines whether a pilot may continue descent below published minima when natural visibility is insufficient but the enhanced system provides adequate visual references.
Grounding Statement
EFV is about what the pilot can see forward from the cockpit with approved vision equipment, not simply what the reported airport visibility says.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “enhanced” means the weather or actual outside visibility improved. Here it means the pilot’s view is improved by approved onboard vision equipment.
Example Sentence 1
The captain confirmed the enhanced flight visibility on the EFVS display met the requirement before continuing the approach below decision altitude.
Example Sentence 2
EFV was used to satisfy the visual reference requirement when actual visibility remained below standard landing minima.