Definition
A regulatory condition under 14 CFR 91.175 in which the pilot, upon reaching the decision altitude or minimum descent altitude on an instrument approach, has a distinct and visible reference to at least one of the specified runway environment elements — such as the approach light system, the threshold, threshold markings, threshold lights, runway end identifier lights, the visual approach slope indicator, the touchdown zone or touchdown zone markings, touchdown zone lights, the runway, or runway markings — sufficient to continue the approach below minimums.
Plain English
It means the pilot can actually see a recognized part of the runway or its lighting clearly enough to continue descending and land. Until one of those specific things is in sight, the pilot must go around.
Context Anchor
Used during instrument approaches, including HUD operations, when deciding whether the aircraft may continue below the approach minimum altitude toward landing.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms the aircraft is aligned with the correct landing surface and authorizes descent below published minima while maintaining visual contact.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as “I can see the airport area.” It means the pilot can see and identify runway-related cues for the intended runway, not just ground lights, buildings, or a vague glow through weather.
Example Sentence 1
At decision altitude the captain called ‘runway environment in sight’ after spotting the approach lights, and the first officer continued the descent to land.
Example Sentence 2
Once the runway environment was in sight, the crew transitioned to visual references and completed the landing.