"Visibility refers to the greatest horizontal distance at which prominent objects can be viewed with the naked eye" (PKAH, 2016). Simply put, visibility is how far you can see. Pilots take visibility into account when they are doing their pre-flight planning. Visibility will be provided by meteorologists in the aviation routine weather report (METAR) report (PHAK, 2016). Visibility that is less than 3 statute miles will require instrument approaches to land at the airports (ERAU, 2016). Otherwise, pilots would essentially be landing blind.
What affects visibility?
Precipitation can lower the cloud ceiling and reduce visibility. Thunderstorms are the most known culprit for doing this. It just takes moisture, an unstable atmosphere, and a lifting mechanism such as a cold front to form a thunderstorm (PHAK, 2016). Some thunderstorms extend upwards of 60,000 ft making it impossible for a small aircraft to fly over them. Other factors such as haze, smoke, mist, fog, and trapped pollution can also reduce visibility (ERAU, 2016).
Here is what could potentially happen due to flying with low visibility.
Pilots should always take all weather conditions into account when flying. The weather is changing all the time. Hazards such as visibility can be devasting. It is always best to prepare and train for such events.
References
ERAU [ERAU Private Pilot (P.A.C.E.)]. (2016 August 25). Weather for Pilots-03-Stability and Hazards. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e2DJw6_4MI
VAS Aviation [VAS Aviaition]. (2020 December 23). Hawker 800 Makes Crash Landing at Farmingdale, NY | Low Visibility. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGIGd2hMQsw
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