FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Weather Theory and ServicesMedium
A pilot reviewing a METAR observes the entry '1/2SM R28L/2600FT'. How should this information be interpreted?
- AVisibility is variable between 1/2 mile and 2,600 feet along Runway 28L
- BPrevailing surface visibility is 1/2 statute mile, and the runway visual range for Runway 28L is 2,600 feet
- CPrevailing visibility is 2,600 feet and runway visual range is 1/2 statute mile
- DThe ceiling is 2,600 feet with 1/2 mile of runway remaining visible
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Prevailing surface visibility is 1/2 statute mile, and the runway visual range for Runway 28L is 2,600 feet
In METAR format, prevailing visibility is reported first in statute miles, followed by runway visual range (RVR) data when applicable, given in hundreds of feet for the specified runway. Here, prevailing visibility is 1/2 statute mile and RVR for Runway 28L is 2,600 feet.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. RVR is a specific measured value, not a variable range between two figures.
- C. This reverses the order; visibility is reported first, not RVR.
- D. RVR is not a ceiling value; it measures horizontal visibility along the runway.
METAR Visibility and RVR
METAR reports prevailing visibility in statute miles first, followed by runway visual range (RVR) in feet for specific runways when reported.
- RVR format: R(runway)/(value)FT
- RVR is used mainly for low-visibility operations
- Prevailing visibility always precedes RVR in the METAR sequence
Memory trick: Visibility comes first, then Runway details — 'See it, then land on it'