CAVOK
Transportation & Travel abbreviation · Aviation
| Stands for | Ceiling and visibility OK |
|---|---|
| Categories | Transportation & Travel |
CAVOK stands for Ceiling and visibility OK, an aviation abbreviation.
Weather code used outside the United States when visibility is 10 kilometers or more, there is no cloud below 5,000 feet or the highest minimum sector altitude, no cumulonimbus or towering cumulus, and no significant weather. It appears in METARs, TAFs and ATIS broadcasts.
Example: Arrival weather for Málaga was CAVOK at 24 degrees, so the crew briefed a visual approach.
Usage notes
Pronounced "KAV-oh-kay." US METARs never use it, reporting visibility as 10SM and clear skies as CLR or SKC instead. Despite the "OK," CAVOK says nothing about wind, so strong crosswinds or gusts can still exist in CAVOK conditions.
Related abbreviations
More aviation abbreviations
- ATP – Airline transport pilot
- ATPL – Airline transport pilot licence
- AWOS – Automated Weather Observing System
- BFR – Biennial flight review
- BVLOS – Beyond visual line of sight
- CASM – Cost per available seat mile
- CFI – Certified flight instructor
- CFII – Certified flight instructor - instrument
- CFIT – Controlled flight into terrain
- CPDLC – Controller-pilot data link communications
- CPL – Commercial pilot license
- CRM – Crew resource management