This was one of the top ten questions asked in my flying career especially in the upper Midwest during the winter snow and blizzard season.  The short answer is although not necessarily easy there are many tools available and training provided to make the task easier. 

As with anything in aviation it requires planning and following a set of procedures for just about any situation.  When dealing with low visibility taxi and takeoff there is a set of procedures and tools to assist the crew. 

The plan is that whenever the visibility drops below a pre-determined level which is different for every airport a low visibility taxi plan is implemented by ATC (Air Traffic Control) and the pilots.  The procedures required to be followed by pilots will vary slightly between airlines but do not allow taxi or takeoff if the visibility is below pre-determined values.  If the value allows taxi and takeoff specific airport taxi diagrams must be used and procedures followed to guarantee that the airplane does not get lost while taxiing to the intended runway for takeoff.  There are also various high intensity taxi lights and signage of various colors to assist the pilots in maintaining situational awareness while taxiing.

 Once the pilot is ready for takeoff again there are certain visibility requirements that must be met and are specific for each airport, runway and crew.  Not all runways allow takeoffs for the same low visibility.

Runways that allow for the lowest visibility takeoffs must have high intensity runway edge lights, runway centerline lights and runway centerline markings.  For each one of these items that are not present a step up to the next higher visibility would be required.  I must mention that these are all very high intensity lights that make seeing in low visibility much easier.  Another way of explaining is the most basic runway light configuration is runway edge lights, for each additional tool, runway centerline lights or markings a step down to the next lowest published visibility is allowed. 

This is why takeoff and landing is permitted at airports when often times the visibility on the drive to the airport for departure was nil or nonexistent.

For more information about flying and answers to the most commonly asked questions by anxious and fearful flyers visit:

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About the Author:

I am a retired military and commercial airline pilot. I flew for a major airline for over 20 years as Captain and instructor teaching on the Dc-9, B-727 and Airbus A-320.