Definition
The Runway Visual Range (RVR) value reported by the transmissometer or visibility sensor located near the touchdown zone of the runway, representing the horizontal distance a pilot can see down the runway from the approach end where the aircraft is expected to touch down.
Plain English
It is the runway visibility measurement taken at the part of the runway where the aircraft will land. The number tells the pilot how far they will be able to see along the runway when they touch down.
Context Anchor
Seen in low-visibility weather reports, instrument approach information, and landing minimums for runways equipped with RVR reporting.
Derivation
Touchdown refers to the point where the wheels first contact the runway. RVR stands for Runway Visual Range. Together the term names the visibility value measured at that specific landing zone, distinguishing it from values measured at the midpoint or rollout end of the runway.
Why Pilots Care
It directly determines whether a pilot can legally continue an approach to landing in low visibility.
Intuition Check
“Touchdown” here does not mean the exact instant your wheels touch the runway. It means the runway area near the landing end where aircraft normally touch down.
Example Sentence 1
Tower reported touchdown RVR of 2,400 feet, which was above the minimum required for the ILS approach.
Example Sentence 2
When the touchdown RVR fell below the published minimum, the pilot executed a missed approach.