On the evening of December 4, HUD-based RVR 90-meter low-visibility take-off and inspection flight of IIIA approach landing was successfully completed at Capital Airport. From now on, passengers braving heavily foggy weather at Capital Airport will enjoy more punctual and safer services. CAAC Deputy Administrator Li Jian was present in the whole process of inspection and trial flight.

At 21:22 and 21:29, one A330 of Air China and one B737 of Shandong Airlines, under the command of Air Traffic Control of CAAC North Regional Administration, landed at Capital Airport smoothly. The trial flights lasted 48 minutes and 41 minutes respectively, verifying feasibility of HUD-based RVR 90-meter taking-off and IIIA approach landing at Capital Airport as well as relevant low-visibility operational procedures.

The practice of HUD-based RVR 90-meter taking-off can solve 80% of the problems relating to low-visibility departures at Capital Airport, thus further promoting flight regularity and improving passengers’ travelling experience. In addition, Capital Airport also conducted trial flight for inspection of IIIA operations to support trial flight of HUD-based RVR 90-meter take-off, thereby realizing mutual match of taking-off and landing and improving supportive capabilities for low-visibility operations at Capital Airport in a comprehensive way. It is said that minimum landing standards will be reduced to RVR 175 meters from the present RVR 300 meters after realization of IIIA operations, thus effectively reducing impact of low-visibility weather caused by fog and smog on passengers.

Li Jian highly recognized the far-reaching significance brought about by the successful inspection flights. He pointed out that HUD RVR 90-meter take-off has enabled China to reach an advanced level in the world regarding low-visibility take-off and IIIA approach landing of RVR 175 meters has been symbolic of the fact that Capital Airport has become the second airport that can accommodate IIIA operation in China, pushing low-visibility operations into a new stage.