Sight distance for landing – assumed pilot’s eye height For approach and runway sight-distance calculations, what standard height above the runway surface is the pilot’s eye commonly assumed to be?

Introduction / Context:
Several runway and approach visibility computations, including approach lighting and decision cues, use a conventional pilot’s eye height to standardize sight-distance assessments across aircraft types.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Standardized planning assumptions for approach and landing.
• Representative jet transport cockpit heights relative to runway surface.

Concept / Approach:
Using a single height simplifies calculations and ensures conservative, reproducible results. A value around 3 m approximates the eye position of flight crew in many transport category aircraft during flare/touchdown phases, and is widely adopted for geometric checks.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the standard convention needed for sight-distance geometry.Adopt the commonly used pilot’s eye height for approach calculations: 3 m.Select 3 m as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
Design guides and exam keys frequently cite 3 m as the nominal eye height for runway visibility envelopes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 1 m / 2 m: Too low for transport-class cockpits, not conservative.
• 4 m / 5 m: Higher than standard convention; could over-predict visibility.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing antenna height, gear strut length, or tail height with the pilot eye reference used in visibility checks.

Final Answer:
3 m