Definition
Runway Visual Range Touchdown (RVRT) is the runway visual range value measured by a transmissometer or similar sensor located near the touchdown zone of an instrument runway. It represents the horizontal distance, in feet, that a pilot in the touchdown area can expect to see down the runway, derived from sensor readings of runway light intensity and atmospheric transmissivity.
Plain English
RVRT is a number, in feet, that tells the pilot how far they should be able to see down the runway from the touchdown end. It is measured by equipment near where aircraft normally touch down, not by the pilot's eye.
Context Anchor
Seen in weather, airport, and NOTAM information for low-visibility operations, especially when checking whether the runway visibility meets the requirements for an approach or landing.
Derivation
Runway visual range is the measured equivalent of how far a pilot can see along the runway. 'Touchdown' specifies that this particular reading comes from the sensor near the touchdown zone, as opposed to readings taken at midfield (RVRM) or rollout (RVRR).
Why Pilots Care
It tells pilots and controllers whether visibility meets the minimums required to continue an instrument approach to landing.
Grounding Statement
RVRT is the visibility reading for the part of the runway where the airplane is expected to touch down.
Intuition Check
“Touchdown” here does not mean the exact moment the wheels touch the runway. It refers to the touchdown area of the runway where that visibility reading applies.
Example Sentence 1
Tower reported RVRT 2400, so the crew was cleared to continue the ILS approach to minimums.
Example Sentence 2
Controllers reported the RVRT had dropped below minimums, so the flight diverted.