What does RVR stand for?

• A. Required Visibility Rating
• B. Runway Visual Range
• C. Radar Visibility Ratio
• D. Runway Verification Reading

Answer: (B)

RVR stands for Runway Visual Range. It’s the distance a pilot can see down the runway from a specific reporting point, typically the runway threshold. This runway-specific visibility measurement is essential for deciding when takeoffs and landings can proceed, since it directly affects the ability to see the runway lights, markings, and any hazards along the runway.

RVR is measured with instruments like transmissometers or forward-scatter meters and is reported for each runway direction, usually in meters (or feet in some regions). It can differ from general visibility because conditions along the runway area may be worse or better than the broader airspace, which is why a precise runway-focused value is required for operational decisions.

The other terms don’t align with standard aviation terminology for visibility measurements; they don’t describe the official runway-specific visibility used in weather reports and flight operations.