What can a pilot expect if the reported braking action is “poor”?

When a pilot encounters a reported braking action of "poor," it indicates that the runway conditions are significantly compromised, leading to reduced effectiveness of the brakes. The Runway Condition Report (RCR) provides a quantitative measurement of the braking effectiveness, with lower values indicating poorer conditions.

RCR values ranging from 06 to 11 are associated with "poor" braking action. This range suggests that a pilot can expect a substantial increase in stopping distance and a heightened risk of skidding. This level of braking action would typically occur in conditions such as ice, snow, or wet runways where the friction available to the tires is greatly diminished.

In contrast, "average" or "good" braking actions would correspond with higher RCR values, signifying better runway conditions, thus supporting a misunderstanding if one chooses those values for a condition labeled as "poor." Therefore, when interpreting the reported "poor" braking action, the designated RCR values of 06 to 11 align accurately with what a pilot should anticipate in such situations.