Definition
The Runway Visual Range value reported from a sensor located near the rollout end of the runway, indicating the visibility distance along the final portion of the runway used by an aircraft after touchdown.
Plain English
It is a visibility reading taken near the far end of the runway, telling pilots how clearly they will be able to see while slowing down after landing.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach minimums, low-visibility landing reports, and airport weather information for runways equipped with more than one RVR reporting point.
Derivation
Rollout' refers to the part of a landing where the aircraft is on the ground, decelerating along the runway. Combined with RVR (Runway Visual Range), it identifies which section of the runway the visibility reading represents.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms whether visibility remains adequate to complete the ground roll safely and exit the runway without runway incursion risk.
Grounding Statement
Picture landing in fog: touchdown visibility tells you what you can see where you land, while rollout RVR tells you what you can expect to see farther down the runway as you slow down.
Intuition Check
Do not read “rollout” as a general departure or taxi term here. In this use, it refers to the part of the landing after touchdown, when the aircraft is rolling along the runway and slowing down.
Example Sentence 1
The tower reported touchdown RVR 1800 and rollout RVR 1600 prior to our Category II approach.
Example Sentence 2
With rollout RVR dropping below 1200 feet, the crew elected to hold until conditions improved.