Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com looks at Subpart E: Low-Visibility Operations (LVOS) and operations with operational credits SPA.LVO.100 low-visibility operations and operations with operational credits (Regulation EU 2021/2237)
Introduction
The operator shall conduct the following operations only if they are approved by the competent authority:
- take-off operations with visibility conditions of less than 400 m RVR;
- instrument approach operations in low-visibility conditions; and
- operations with operational credits, except for (Enhanced Flight Vision System) EFVS 200 operations, which shall not be subject to specific approval.
GM1 SPA.LVO.100(b) Low visibility operations and operations with operational credits (ED Decision 2022/012/R)
Instrument approach operations in low visibility conditions – classification of standard approach operations
- The different types of approach and landing operations are classified according to the lowest DH (or MDH) and RVR applicable to the approach type.
- The classification of approach types does not depend on the technology used for the approach.
- The lowest minima specified do not take into account “operational credits” that may allow for lower operating minima.
The classification does not subdivide CAT III operations into CAT IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. The actual minimum applicable to any operation depends on the aircraft equipment and the specific LVO approval held by the air operator.
The AFM for aircraft certified for CAT III operations will state the lowest usable DH or no DH. Some AFMs may refer to the previous ICAO classifications as follows:
– CAT III A: a DH lower than 30 m (100 ft) or no DH and an RVR not less than 175 m;
– CAT III B: a DH lower than 15 m (50 ft) or no DH and an RVR less than 175 m but not less than 50 m; and
– CAT III C: no DH and no RVR limitations.
Note: CAT IIIC has not been used in Europe and the minimum RVR in the EU regulations is 75 m.
Where an operational credit allows operation to lower-than-standard minima, this is not considered a separate approach classification.
GM2 SPA.LVO.100(b) Low visibility operations and operations with operational credits ED Decision 2022/012/R
Instrument approach operations in low visibility conditions — equipment certification for low visibility approach operations other than EFVS
- This GM describes the certification requirements of CS-AWO. Operators should always refer to CS-AWO for the actual requirements.
- Aircraft suitable for low visibility approach operations are certified according to the minimum usable DH which is stated in the AFM.
- Certification specifications (CS-AWO) allow for systems to be certified for SA CAT I, CAT II or CAT III operations.
Systems certified for CAT III operations may specify:
– a lowest usable DH of:
– less than 100 ft but not less than 50 ft;
– less than 50 ft; or
– no DH.
Legacy systems may be described as capable of ‘CAT 3A’ or ‘CAT IIIA’ operations.
- This implies a minimum DH of less than 100 ft but not less than 50 ft. Systems described as capable of ‘CAT 3B’ or ‘CAT IIIB’ may be certified for a DH of less than 50 ft or no DH.
- Operations to a DH of less than 100 ft but not less than 50 ft will typically require a fail-passive automatic landing system or a HUDLS or equivalent system. Operations to a DH of less than 50 ft will require a fail-operational landing system, a fail-passive go-around system, automatic thrust control and either automatic ground roll control or ground roll guidance using a HUDLS.
- For no DH operations, a fail-passive or fail-operational ground roll control system is required.
The RVR required for (Special Authorisation) SA CAT I, CAT II and SA CAT II approach operations is determined by the DH and the aircraft approach speed category.
- The RVR required for CAT III approach operations is determined by the DH and the capability of the ground-roll control system.
- Operations with fail-passive roll control systems require a greater RVR than operations with fail-operational ground control systems because the pilots would need to have sufficient visibility to maintain lateral control in the event of a system failure.
Next Steps
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SAS blogs, Certification specifications (CS), Low Visibility Operations (LVO), Regulation (EU) 2021/2237, EASA Reg 965/2012, EU 2021/2237, Low-Visibility Operations (LVOS), landing operations
