RVOP LVOP For Dummies

[CYCG]

What is it?

When is it used?

How do I implement it?

Etc, anything information would be great!


May be easy or not, but for whatever reason cant get much info or build any knowledge on it


Did a search, couldn't find anything to useful.




CYCG

[BTD]

Here is the only post you need to read on this topic.

viewtopic.php?f=54&t=69458&p=655787#p655787


Here is the link to the Advisory Circular that is applicable. Take a read through it.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/o ... 2.htm#s1-0

I'm having a hard time believing the ongoing discussion on this topic, when the answers are so clearly available in black and white in the guidance material given by TC.

People quoting their chief pilots, some FSS operator they talked to one time, and "the last captain I flew with", need to dedicate a little time on their next day off to READ THE REGULATIONS. It's not hard, we all learned (or should have learned) to navigate the CARs when we wrote our PSTARs, so why would you take someone else's opinion as the gospel truth and regurgitate it on this board over and over again? Why wouldn't you as the professional pilots you all claim to be go to the source and look it up? When a lawyer is preparing for a case he looks up the relevant laws, he doesn't just say "Well a senior partner at my firm says that the criminal code reads xxxxx" Honestly guys, you wanted to be treated like professionals, then prove that you have a reading level that surpasses primary school, get on the Transport Canada website and find some answers for yourself. You'll be a better pilot for it. And if and when you do, you'll see that correct answers look exactly like BTDs. This entire thread (which the exception of ECs initial question) would be moot if people would take that time to learn the material instead of passing on myths.

One person writes

If it drops AFTER you have landed, then you can still taxi, but I cannot get a real firm answer for what happens if it drops below operating minima PAST the FAF and BEFORE you land. Two chief pilots basically said that you "shut down, chock it, and walk away."

If that is true, I'd go so far as to say those CPs are UNFIT to be operating in that capacity. I find it pretty scary that such misinformation is being passed on by chief pilots. If you can, I'd suggest writing an SMS and following up with a call to your POI at TC.

Oh btw CYXU pilot, you can't get an answer for that? How long did you spend looking it up and who have you consulted? The neighbours dog? Your local boat mechanic? Because in about 60 seconds I was able to get an answer, and here is it. The following all comes from 1 google search, "CARs RVOP LVOP". Which leads to the following pages:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/o ... 02-302.htm
Paragraph 4.2.5 A)

--

Now that my rant is over why not a little free lesson for the AvCanada users out there?

It's very important to differentiate between "Take-Off Minimums", "Approach Ban" and "Aerodrome Level of Service". All these items are separate and distinct and must not be mixed up. For a takeoff you must consider both the Level of Service and the Take-Off Minimums. For landing you must consider both the Level of Service and the Approach Ban.

The Level of Service will be determined by one thing only, what kind of plan the aerodrome has submitted to TC, and it falls into 3 categories:

1) - No Plan - Limited to standard 1/2 mile or RVR 2600. - (This is the case in YSB)
2) - RVOP - "Reduced Visibility Operations Plan" - Allows operations below 1/2 mile down to and including 1/4 mile
3) - LVOP - "Low Visibility Operations Plan" - Allows operations below 1/4 mile (Only applicable at Cat 2/3 airports like YHM, YYZ, YUL etc.)

How do you know that the Level of Service is for your airport / runway?
The only official source is the CFS. It's under runway data. Look up Toronto Pearson (YYZ). Under the RWY DATA section. See runway 6L? It says RVR 600. See runway 24R? It says RVR 1200 (1/4sm). Depending on what runway you're landing on, that is the aerodrome Level of Service. Obviously YYZ has an RVOP and LVOP. Now look up Sudbury (YSB). There's nothing there. That means it has no plan, and as such the aerodrome Level of Service is standard, or 1/2sm / RVR 2600.

Now we know what the limit for our runway is, how do we use it?

Don't think of the Level of Service as a "Taxi Ban", as it has become to be known. Think about it like you may not START to use that aerodrome if the visibility is below it, either for takeoff or arrival. The Level of Service applies only in the following 2 situations:

Approach - BEFORE THE FAF. After you have passed the FAF, you are no longer governed by this "Ban"
Takeoff - COMMENCING THE TAXI. Once you have moved, this "ban" no longer applies.

What this means:

On approach - So as long as you have the required level of service visibility, and approach ban visibility as you cross the FAF, you can continue to fly the approach, land and taxi in, regardless of what happens to the vis (Provided you see the runway at minimums). Maybe your CP will even buy you a beer because you didn't need to have someone come out and tow your airplane off the runway (I'm still fuming about that, what a pathetic piece of advice given by a clueless CP)

On takeoff - So long as you have the required level of service visibility when you release the brake, you may now continue to the runway, and as long as you comply with take-off minimums (ops specs and all) you are legal to take off, regardless of that happens to the vis.

How do you know to use RVR or Ground Vis though?

With one exception the "hierarchy" is always:
-RVR of the runway USED
-Ground Vis
-Pilot Vis

So if there is an RVR for the runway you're using it's governing. If not, use the ground vis. If that's not reported use pilot vis.
The one exception is DEPARTING from an uncontrolled airport, then ALL (Not just the runway you're using) REPORTED RVR has to be above the minimums plus the ground vis and pilot vis must be above minimums.

--

So using our new found knowledge here's what we know:

If Porter crossed the FAF, with the RVR for the RWY they were landing on below 2600', a violation of the CARs occurred
If Porter released the brakes to taxi with any RVR below 2600', or the reported ground vis less than 1/2sm, a violation of the CARs occurred.

That is a fact. If you can't figure out why, I can't believe you hold a valid instrument rating. You need to stick to VFR flying. It's that simple.

Now let's get back to the discussion. Did Porter do the above? If yes, EC has every right to be concerned. If not, then great job to the Porter crew.

*Edited to correct an error in the paragraph reference above.

[SII]

visability limits on taxing

if you make it pass the faf and vis drops you can taxi in, if you start to taxi out and vis drops you can continue to taxi to the runway.

limits are in the CFS.

non-assesed airports are 1/2 mile reported

[CYCG]