Definition
Runway visual range is the horizontal distance, expressed in feet, that a pilot in the touchdown zone can expect to see down the runway. It is measured electronically by a transmissometer positioned alongside the runway and is reported in real time to pilots and controllers. RVR is used in place of prevailing visibility when determining whether landing minimums are met for an instrument approach.
Plain English
How far you can see down the runway, in feet, measured by a sensor near the runway itself. It tells you whether the view down the runway is good enough to legally land.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach charts, weather reports, approach clearances, and landing minimums when visibility is low.
Derivation
The name describes itself: the visual range (how far you can see) along the runway. It is reported in feet rather than miles because the distances involved are short and small differences matter at landing minimums.
Why Pilots Care
RVR directly determines whether current conditions meet the published minimums for a safe landing under instrument rules.
Grounding Statement
In fog, RVR is the practical answer to: “How far down this runway can I see the lights and markings?”
Intuition Check
Do not treat RVR as the same thing as general airport visibility. RVR is specific to one runway and is based on what can be seen along that runway.
Example Sentence 1
The tower reported RVR 2400 for Runway 27, which was just above the minimum on the approach chart, so we continued the approach.
Example Sentence 2
When RVR dropped below 1800 feet the tower issued a missed approach clearance.