Background to the notice
DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung has officially announced the procedures applied for low-visibility operations (LVO) on the basis of the German Air Traffic Regulations (LuftVO). These procedures apply at the most important international and regional airports in Germany, including Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn and other locations. The aim is to harmonise and clarify procedures for safe flight operations, particularly in the autumn and winter months when fog and low cloud levels can severely affect air traffic.
Definitions and terms
The new regulations work with a clear definition of operating modes with restricted visibility:
- Low Visibility Operations (LVO): Includes approaches and departures at runway visual ranges (RVR) of less than 550 metres and/or decision heights of less than 200 feet. This also includes taxiing movements at RVRs of less than 550 metres.
- Low Visibility Take-Off (LVTO): Take-off procedures for visibility below 550 metres. At German airports, these procedures are often used from 600 metres in order to keep operations stable.
- Guided Take-Off: A take-off in which not only visual cues are used, but also technical systems such as the ILS landing course transmitter. This mode comes into effect when visibility is extremely limited from 125 metres RVR, but not below 75 metres.
- Procedure for reduced aerodrome visibility conditions (level 3): Special measures on the tarmac at visibility of 300 metres or less to ensure minimum distances between aircraft and ground vehicles without visual reference.
In addition, the regulations define the categories CAT II and CAT III instrument landing systems, which allow precise approaches even in very low visibility conditions.
Practical implementation at airports
The application of the procedures is activated in stages, depending on the runway visibility and cloud base:
- From an RVR of 1000 metres or less (or a locally higher value):
- Activation of emergency power systems for visual and non-visual landing aids.
- Keeping the so-called Critical Areas of the ILS systems to avoid signal interference from vehicles or people.
- From an RVR of 600 metres or less or a cloud base below 200 feet:
- Switching off the glide angle lighting and the EFAS (Electronic Flight Aid System).
- Switching on the runway centreline lighting, which gives pilots a clear orientation when taxiing and taking off.
This will enable airports to ensure regular flight operations even under adverse weather conditions.
Significance for pilots and airlines
For airlines and crews, the implementation of these procedures means a high degree of standardisation, which creates planning security. Pilots must familiarise themselves with the extended procedures, as take-offs and landings in fog or severely restricted visibility in IFR operations (instrument flight rules) follow strict guidelines.
The regulations ensure that:
- ILS signals free from interference which could otherwise be affected by taxiing traffic in the immediate vicinity.
- Minimum distances when rolling are guaranteed even if visual references are missing.
- Ground infrastructure such as lighting systems adapted and activated at an early stage.
This will improve both the safety and efficiency of air traffic.
International categorisation
In an international comparison, the new regulations put Germany on a par with other European countries. The EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) also prescribes comparable standards. Countries with busy airports such as France, the UK and the Netherlands have similar regulations that ensure operations are maintained even in dense fog.
In Frankfurt, Munich and Düsseldorf in particular, capacities are heavily dependent on fog in winter. Thanks to the consistent application of low visibility procedures, operations remain largely stable even in critical weather phases.
Conclusion
With the new procedures, DFS is creating a reliable and Europe-wide comparable set of rules with low visibility. Pilots, airlines and passengers benefit from an increased level of safety and better planning.
Source references:
NFL (the link requires a subscription to Eisenschmidt)