headsethair, I hate to stir the calm waters... but full down autos ARE done. Lately, I've been told they haven't been doing them. Nevertheless, I know that the old time test pilots (13,000+ Robbie hours alone) will do full down auto's in the Safety Course when Frank isn't in the building. That said, it was the smoothest auto I've ever seen and the wear on the skid shoes was probably minimal (running landings take longer). They should do full downs in every course.