Auto-land capabilities

[steve1969]

I flew into LHR from Cape Town very early on Sunday morning. The airport was shrouded in heavy fog (the wingtip was hard to see!) yet we had a beautifully smooth landing.

I assume the 744's auto-land capability was used but is there a minimum visability requirement for auto-landings? Or are a/c permitted to land with no visual reference whatever?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Different airlines have different minima depending on crew experience, aircraft equipment, ground equipment, etc. 75m is about the lowest minima I've heard of, although one RAF bloke said to me once "I have no minima" (anyone know where he's buried?!)

[DVR6K]

Now, I`m no 747 pilot I admit, but doesn´t Category IIIb (ie the best) require RVR of 75m??

[fokker]

Cat 111b minimum RVR for landing is 75m. The aircraft (a320/21) will land in zero viz. but the authorities reckon that it would be impossible to taxi, or for the emergency services to respond quickly if required.

[M.Mouse]

flying togs

If it was a BA 747-400 the limits that we operate to are Cat 3b - No Decision Height and 75m min. RVR required. It is often the case in very low visibility that nothing is seen until the nowewheel touchs down.

My personal record at LHR is 125m. in a 757.

[G.Khan]

In the B747-400 we had catIII limits of 75meters viz. and 20feet DH, the 20feet, I understand, is because of the height of the pilots eyes above the ground from a B747. Could be wrong.

[steve1969]

Thanks for that people. Appreciate your answers.

All they need to come up with now is an auto-taxi feature!

[NextLeftAndCallGround]

They're working on it.