With due respect 120.4, you clearly have very little understanding of this topic!!! To ask whether CAT 3A is a manual landing or autoland (regardless of the DH) suggests to me that your facts may not be entirely correct.... .To answer your question in brief, we are trained to operate our a/c down to CAT 3B no DH (ie no call-outs, no visual requirement) where possible as this gives the greatest chance of a successful landing in low vis. This is dependent on a/c technical status, the airport in question and the air traffic procedures in force at the time of the approach.
In some cases the airport may only be certified by BA to be used for CAT 2 or CAT 1 approach minima: it depends on the airport facilities etc.
However, and I know someone will correct me if this is a fleet specific thing, on my a/c 757/767 we can certainly complete a landing to CAT 3A minima if that is the most appropriate available. Incidentally, although 3A minima tends to be 50R, it is not specifically that. ie- check the performance manual.
If only 2 autopilots are available then 3A is the lowest minima allowed. 767 can also do a planned 1 engine autoland; 757 can once approach has been started.
Hope that answers your question.
[ 20 February 2002: Message edited by: Fat Tony ]</p>