Advisory U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Circular Administration Subject: Low Visibility Operations / Surface Date: 09/26/2023 AC No: 120-57C Movement Guidance and Control Systems Initiated By: AFS-400 (LVO/SMGCS) This Advisory Circular (AC) provides an acceptable means, but not the only means, for United States airports who choose to develop and maintain an accepted voluntary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Low Visibility Operations/Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems (LVO/SMGCS) Plan under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91 and 139. The LVO/SMGCS program focuses on enhancing safe taxi operations during visibility conditions of less than Runway Visual Range (RVR) 1200 feet (350 meters).
Wesley L. Mooty Acting Deputy Executive Director, Flight Standards Service Aviation Safety
Table of Contents Paragraph Page
Chapter 1. General Information1-1
1.1 Purpose ................................................................................................
1.2 Applicability .......................................................................................
1.3 Related References, Definitions, and Cancellation .............................
1.4 Background .........................................................................................
1.5 Major Changes in this Revision ..........................................................
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Chapter 2. Implementation Steps for LVO/SMGCS ..................................
2.1 Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group .......................................................
2.2 Airport Evaluation .......................................................................................
2.3 Location Analysis ........................................................................................
2.4 LVO/SMGCS Operations Minimums Selection ..........................................
2.5 LVO/SMGS Plan Development ...................................................................
2.6 LVO/SMGCS Plan Submission ...................................................................
2.7 LVO/SMGCS Plan Acceptance ...................................................................
2.8 LVO/SMGCS Plan Implementation ............................................................
2.9 LVO/SMGCS Plan Revisions and Suspensions ..........................................
2.10 LVO/SMGCS Plan Cancellation .................................................................
2.11 LVO/SMGCS Operations RVR 600 feet reducing to RVR 500 feet ...........
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Chapter 3. Responsibilities ................................................................................
3.1 FAA Roles and Responsibilities ..........................................................................
3.2 Airport Operator Responsibilities ........................................................................
3.3 Tenant Responsibilities. .......................................................................................
Chapter 4. Emerging Technologies ...................................................................
4.1 Emerging Technological Gains to Enhance LVO/SMGCS Operations ..............
Chapter 5. Signs, Markings, and Visual Aid Requirements .............................
5.1 Overview ..............................................................................................................
5.2 Taxiway Lighting .................................................................................................
5.3 Lights at Access to Active Runways ...................................................................
5.4 Runway Guard Light Selection ............................................................................
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5.5 Clearance Bars/Holding Position Markings .............................................................
5.6 Taxi Guidance Signing and Marking .......................................................................
5.7 Monitoring and Visual Inspection of Lighting Aids ................................................
5.8 Maintenance Criteria for Lighting Aids ...................................................................
5.9 Maintenance Criteria for Lighting Signs .................................................................
Chapter 6. SMSS Airport Facilities and Services ................................................
6.1 Overview ..................................................................................................................
6.2 Operational Considerations ......................................................................................
6.3 Airport Operations/Participating Tenants LVO/SMGCS Procedures .....................
6.4 Apron Traffic Management .....................................................................................
6.5 Taxiing Assistance in Non-Movement Areas ..........................................................
Chapter 7. Airport Condition Reporting ...............................................................
7.1 LVO Support Infrastructure Outages .......................................................................
7.2 RVR System Coverage and Gaps ............................................................................
Chapter 8. Airport Low Visitibility, Taxi Route(s) Chart ......................................
8.1 Use of Charts............................................................................................................
8.2 General Chart Information .......................................................................................
8.3 Flight Operations Chart Training Factors for Aircraft Operators ............................
Appendix A. References ........................................................................................
Appendix B. Definitions and Acronyms ...............................................................
Appendix C. Checklist for Operations less than RVR 1200 Feet .......................
Appendix D. Checklist for LVO/SMGCS Operations Less Than RVR 500 Feet .
Appendix E. Example SEA-TAC International Airport LVO/SMGCS Plan ..........
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1.5 Chapter 1. General Information Purpose. This AC provides guidance for airport operators when developing an LVO/SMGCS Plan. There may be valid safety and operational reasons for a specific LVO/SMGCS Plan to vary from the AC 120-57 (current edition) guidance due to unique local issues, environmental factors, or volume of traffic operations. This document contains specific examples some airports have used to meet its intent.
Applicability. This AC provides guidance to assist airport operator who choose to develop an FAA LVO/SMGCS Plan to support surface movement operations less than Runway Visual Range (RVR) 1200 ft (350 m).
Related References, Definitions, and Cancellation.
Related References. See appendix A for related references.
Definitions. See appendix B for definitions and acronyms.
Cancellation. AC 120-57B, Surface Movement Guidance and Control System, dated 08/25/2020, is cancelled.
Background.
In 2012, the FAA revised low visibility operations policy to align with international low visibility operations in several ways. Some changes included the term Low Visibility Operations/Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (LVO/SMGCS) replaced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (SMGCS), and meter equivalencies were added for RVR values. Additionally, following a Safety Management System (SMS) evaluation, lower visibility limits were established which aligned taxi RVR policy with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
LVO/SMGCS achieves improved safety through the increased control of aircraft and ground vehicles during low-visibility conditions less than RVR 1200 ft (350 m).
Implementing a proper LVO/SMGCS operation provides a safety benefit for all airport operations and involves tenants, major carriers, and other airport and National Airspace System (NAS) stakeholders.
Major Changes in this Revision.
This AC identifies LVO/SMGCS operations in the following three visibility levels:
• L ess than RVR 1200 ft (350 m) to RVR 500 ft (150 m)
• Less than RVR 500 ft (150 m) to RVR 300 ft (75 m)
• Less than RVR 300 ft (75 m). There is currently no guidance for taxi less than RVR 300 ft (75 m); this is at the discretion of the airport operator (see chapter 4).
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In addition, this AC has several changes in terminology. For example, the terms working group and LVO/SMGCS Team are now Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group (see paragraph 2.1) and FAA LVO/SMGCS Team (see paragraph 3.1). The term “ inspection” will apply to the Airport Certification and Safety Inspector (ACSI).
Conduc ting a 14 CFR Part 139 required airport inspection or a separate “lighting inspection” that is the responsibility of the airport operator. The LVO/ SMGCS Plans wi ll have a “review” and “initial evaluation” for new plans and a “review” and periodic “exercise” for existing or amended pl ans. Additionally, the acceptance of the LVO /SMGCS Plan is now called a Record of Acceptance. This acr onym is used to distinguish it from the Letter of Agreements (LOA) between the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and airport operator.
This AC also promotes consideration of emerging technologies as mitigations for detec tion ca pabilities .
Lastly, this AC emphasizes the voluntary nature of the program. The FAA encourages all airports with low visibility operations to have an accepted LVO/SMGCS Plan.
However, it is at the discretion of the airport operator to develop and implement the plan. The airport operator is th e final authority for plan implementation.
AC Feedback Form. For y our convenience, FAA Form 1320-73 , Advisory Circular Feedback Form, is included at the end of this AC to note any deficiencies found, clarifications needed, or suggested improvements regarding the contents of this AC.
When forwarding your comments to the originating office at 9-AWA-AFS400- COORD@faa.gov for consideration, please provide a complete explanation of why the suggested change is necessary.
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2.3 Chapter 2. Implementation Steps for LVO/SMGCS Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group. The airport operator should establish an Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group to develop an LVO/SMGCS Plan. The Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group should include the following representatives:
Airport operator. This includes airfield operations staff, airfield maintenance personnel or airfield electricians, aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF), security/traffic control, deicing operators, and any other appropriate entities.
FAA. This includes Air Traffic (local and/or regional), Airport District Office (ADO) or Regional Office, the Flight Standards Flight Procedures and Airspace Group appropriate representative with necessary local airport experience, an FAA Tech Ops Check Sector office representative, and National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) representative.
Local airport tenants. This includes air carriers, general aviation, military, contractsupport groups, interested labor organizations, and other industry stakeholder groups.
Airport Evaluation. The Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group should accomplish an airport evaluation to determine the feasibility of an LVO/SMGCS program. The airport evaluation should include an analysis of the safety factors and associated operational benefits as well as a cost benefit analysis. Safety Management System principles, which focus on identifying hazards and analyzing risk can be an effective tool to aid in airport evaluations. For more information, refer to FAA Order 8000.367, Aviation Safety (AVS) Safety Management System Requirements.
Location Analysis. The location analysis should review the existing airport layout, facilities, instrument flight procedures minima, airplane type, size categories, instrument capabilities, and operational procedures. This analysis will help ascertain the number of aircraft taxi operations that would benefit in terms of safety, throughput, and efficiency with an LVO/SMGCS Plan. Comparison of the existing and potential operating capability will also assist the Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group in determining what additional measures and SMS mitigations are appropriate to achieve the desired low visibility operations. Flight Technologies and Procedures Division representatives can refer an airport operator to other similar size airports with comparable LVO/SMGCS operations as benchmarks for their consideration in determining airport needs. The location analysis should include consideration of at least the following:
• A irport layout and surface traffic patterns (includes runways, taxiways, fillets, and taxi lanes, identified as movement areas, used for current low visibility operations and those needed to achieve new low visibility operations).
• Details on limiting operations to certain LVO/SMGCS designated taxiways.
• Possible low visibility taxi operations utilizing emerging technologies.
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• Air traffic procedures used for current low visibility operations, and changes or additional infrastructure needed to support new low visibility operations.
• Surface lighting, marking, and signs used for runways, taxiways, taxi lanes and gate lead-in markings. (Identify additional needs in support of low visibility operations, i.e., stop bars, runway guard lights, clearance bars, taxiway centerline lighting, reflectors, geographic position markings, etc.) Additionally, review of the capability to electronically monitor and/or inspect lighting systems.
• Equipment, procedures, and training to support ARFF services in low visibility operations.
• Ground support vehicle operations during low visibility conditions. (Review any restrictions, controls, or training needed, and whether airport operations or tenants will provide, if necessary, follow-me or towing services on the movement area.)
• Protection of Instrument Landing System (ILS) critical areas and obstacle free zones.
• Protection of Approach Holding areas.
• Protection of Runway Safety Areas.
• Snow removal equipment routing and priorities during low visibility conditions.
• The number of low visibility taxi chart(s) needed based upon airport layout complexity.
• All non-movement areas and ramp areas, ground personnel movement, support equipment operation, and mitigations needed for safe operations during low visibility operations.
2.4 LVO/SMGCS Operations Minimums Selection. The Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group should establish the lowest visibility minimums desired for the LVO/SMGCS Plan. The levels to be determined are less than RVR 1200 ft (350 m) to RVR 500 ft (150 m), less than RVR 500 ft (150 m) to RVR 300 ft (75 m) and less than RVR 300 ft (75 m). There is currently no guidance for taxi operations less than RVR 300 ft (75 m).
This minimum selection would be at the discretion of the airport operator, see chapter 4 of this AC. The determination of operation minimums should consider at least the following:
An evaluation of historic low visibility weather data for the airport. The data should include RVR values, time of day, and duration that the airport is in LVO/SMGCS to compare the amount and frequency of affected aircraft operations (actual or potential).
Obtain weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – 2-2
National Center for Environmental Information (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov), the local National Weather Service (https://www.weather.gov), or other private industry sources.
A determination of which users are capable of using the low visibility takeoff and landing procedures.
Costs for the desired RVR level of operation. These costs may include but are not limited to:
• Taxiway centerline lights
• Taxiway edge lights
• Runway guard lights
• Stop bar lights (controlled and uncontrolled)
• Clearance bar lights
• Lead on and lead off lights
• Associated hardware and software
• Taxiway/ramp markings
• Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE) or equivalent
• Expanded communications facilities/ramp control
• Paving (taxiway fillets)
• Ground equipment/vehicles (follow-me, tow or ARFF vehicles)
• Charting
• Operation and Maintenance (O & M)
• Training
• Personnel
• Other advanced technologies
2.5 LVO/SMGS Plan Development. The airport operator is responsible for engaging the Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group. The Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group should assist the airport operator in developing a written LVO/SMGCS Plan that 2-3
describes operational procedures when operating with visibility lower than RVR 1200 ft (350 m). At a minimum, the plan should include:
A description of each part of the low visibility operation and taxi route(s), a detailed account of the airport’s supporting facilities and equipment and clearly identify the responsibilities of participating airport parties (e.g., airport operator, airport operations group, Air Traffic Control (ATC), ARFF, air carriers, and ground vehicle operators).
The local weather conditions that trigger LVO/SMGCS preparations, entry and exit for all or a portion of the airport. Clearly identify how and when LVO/SMGCS event responsibilities will be carried out for each of the RVR values. Identify all additional equipment, markings, lighting, and signage needed.
A chart(s) representation depicting LVO/SMGCS routing, lighting, markings, signage, hotspots, and other markings from AC 150/5340-1 (current version), Standards for Airport Markings, and AC 150/5210-20 (current version), Ground Vehicle Operations to include Taxiing or Towing an Aircraft on Airports, and chart legend.
The pr ocedures for preparing, entering, and exiting LVO/SMGCS including the notification of tenants, operators, and broadcasting initiation of LVO/SMGCS operations on Automatic Terminal Information System (ATIS). Procedures for taxi, deicing, vehicle movement, vehicle restrictions, baggage cart loading/unloading, aircraft maintenance repositioning in the movement area, restrictions on vehicles, personnel airport access, airport maintenance and construction.
The pro cedures to be employed in the event the surface movement surveillance system (SMSS) becomes inoperative during visibility less than RVR 500 ft (150 m).
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), checklists and associated Record of Acceptance and Letters of Agreement (LOAs).
Documentation of training, qualification, and certification, as necessary, for all airport and tenant personnel. The training should include the LVO/SMGCS emphasis areas identified below:
• Apron (ramp) operations
• ILS critical areas, runway safety areas, and obstacle free zones
• Stop bar lights
• Taxiway centerline lights, including ILS critical area alternating green and yellow lights from runway centerline
• Clearance bar lights
• Runway lead-on lights and lead-off lights
• Geographic position markings
• Runway hold, Intermediate hold, approach hold, and ILS critical hold markings 2-4
• Movement/non-movement area boundary marking
• Other pertinent surface painted signs and markings at the local airport
• Use of low visibility taxi route(s), chart(s), and symbology (see chapter 8)
• Personnel operating follow-me vehicles and maintenance repositioning should be trained in taxi procedures requiring judgmental oversteering
• LVO/SMGCS non-movement area holding position markings, other pertinent non-movement area markings, and vehicle and aircraft movement markings
• Any unique location specific subject areas requiring participant familiarization
2.6 LVO/SMGCS Plan Submission. When an airport operator completes an LVO/SMGCS Plan, the airport operator should submit the plan, the LOA(s) between the Airport Authority and the ATCT, and the low-visibility taxi charts(s) to the Flight Technologies and Procedures Division for acceptance. The Flight Technologies and Procedures Division will assign a FAA LVO/SMGCS Team for review and consultation.
2.7 LVO/SMGCS Plan Acceptance. The assigned FAA LVO/SMGCS Team will review the plan and evaluate the operational concept of the plan and associated charts for proper content and accuracy during an initial evaluation. The FAA LVO/SMGCS Team can accomplish the evaluation in stages due to airport budget or construction schedules as necessary. The FAA LVO/SMGCS Team will work in a consulting role with the Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group for any recommended changes or improvements to the plan. When all members of the FAA LVO/SMGCS Team concur with the plan, the Flight Technologies and Procedures Division will issue a Record of Acceptance to the airport operator. For revisions to existing LVO/SMGCS Plans, see paragraph 2.9.
2.8 LVO/SMGCS Plan Implementation. The airport operator, as the final authority, coordinates LVO/SMGCS Plan implementation. The airport operator maintains a copy of the LVO/SMGCS Plan, FAA Record of Acceptance, and other appropriate documentation to include personnel training. The airport operator should notify the FAA LVO/SMGCS Team of the LVO/SMGCS implementation date once the following items are complete:
An initial evaluation of the LVO/SMGCS Plan (see paragraph 3.1.4). Address needed revisions identified during the evaluation prior to implementation. The airport operator may elect to implement the LVO/SMGCS Plan and exercise(s) in stages.
The LOA(s) between airport operator and the ATCT is signed and included in the plan.
All associated SOPs, LOAs, Records of Acceptance, and checklists should be made available to all airport stakeholders with associated responsibilities.
The LVO/SMGCS taxi chart(s) are published and available to all airport tenants, including ground and air operator personnel, who will participate in LVO/SMGCS operations.
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2.9 LVO/SMGCS Plan Revisions and Suspensions. The Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group may revise the LVO/SMGCS Plan at any time. A revision, due to construction or modifications to the standards, may include interim procedures not normally used by the airport (e.g., a follow-me vehicle might be used to substitute for the absence of or for incomplete procedural or infrastructure guidance requirements during the temporary condition). The FAA LVO/SMGCS Team will consult with the airport operator on amended portions of the LVO/SMGCS Plan and any needed changes. The airport operator should submit revised plans to the FAA LVO/SMGCS Team for review. In some cases, a review/exercise (see paragraph 3.1.4) may be warranted. The airport operator may need to accomplish temporary charting of amended or adjusted taxi routings and/or Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs). When the airport operator is ready to conduct alternative operations and the FAA LVO/SMGCS Team has concurred, the airport operator may implement the revised plan. Alternatively, the airport operator may elect to suspend their LVO/SMGCS Plan during major construction (see paragraph 3.2).
Advise the Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group and the FAA LVO/SMGCS Team in writing of the intent to suspend LVO/SMGCS operations.
2.10 LVO/SMGCS Plan Cancellation. If the airport operator elects to discontinue an accepted LVO/SMGCS Plan, the airport operator should advise the Flight Procedures and Airspace Group in writing. The airport operator should consider the following items:
Other mitigations that could be used in lieu of an LVO/SMGCS Plan for LVO operations (i.e., Airport Surface Detection Equipment Model X (ASDE-X) or Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC)).
Notification of Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group, tenants, and operators.
Discontinue Chart publication.
Remove from airport and tenant records all references of existing LVO/SMGCS Plan documentation and training.
If returning to LVO/SMGCS operations, a new LVO/SMGCS Plan will need to be developed, submitted, and accepted.
2.11 LVO/SMGCS Operations RVR 600 feet reducing to RVR 500 feet (150 meters).
Airports that have an accepted LVO/SMGCS Pl an with a floor of RVR 600 ft that desire to make the change to RVR 500 ft (150 m) should contact Flight Technologies and Procedures Division to request the Job Aid for accepting a reduced LVO/SMGCS floor from RVR 600 ft to RVR 500 ft (150 m). The Job Aid will help in the identification of hazards and mitigations of resultant risks to permit the airport to make the change.
The completed Job Aid concludes one of two findings:
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• If the Airport Working Group agrees with the evaluation that the previously authorized operations down to LVO/SMGCS RVR 600 ft will maintain an acceptable level of risk now at RVR 500 ft (150 m), the airport operator should update the LVO/SMGCS Plan and advise the Flight Technologies and Procedures designated representative. Additionally, the airport operator is responsible to coordinate with chart providers to amend the taxi chart(s) to reflect the RVR 500 ft (150 m) change.
• If the Airport LVO/SMGCS Working Group agrees that additional SMS evaluation and safety mitigations are necessary, the Job Aid process concludes with what additional requirements and analysis are required.
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