Question on AUTOLAND

[Locked door]

Not quite.

Ref FMA’s

CAT3 Dual= Autoland + Auto rollout
CAT3 Single = Autoland + manual rollout (or auto rollout but be prepared to intervene)
CAT2 = Some airlines mandate an autoland as per CAT3A, some allow a manual landing but you must respect the minimum autopilot disconnect height as per FCOM
CAT1 = Man land

For autoland + manual rollout the autopilot is disconnected after nose gear touchdown. You must NEVER disconnect the autopilot while airborne on a CAT3 approach.

Remember this is the aircraft telling you what it CAN do, not what you must do. The aircraft can autoland and auto rollout with either CAT3 or CAT2 on the FMA, but it may not be legal. Once you know what the aircraft can do, then you need to look at what’s available for the runway in question. Some runways are no autoland, some are CAT2 at best or CAT3 single at best. Some CAT3 Dual with a DH and some CAT3 Dual no DH. It all depends on the standard of ILS transmitter installed. Remember LVP’s must be in force for you to proceed below the CAT1 DA without visual reference regardless of what the FMA says. Some airfields, EG Munich, may only offer you a CAT2 approach even though there is CAT3B NO DH minima published and your FMA says CAT 3 DUAL.

For example you can fly a CAT2 approach with CAT3 Dual on the FMA if CAT2 is lowest minima for that runway.

You CAN’T fly a CAT3 approach with CAT2 on the FMA.
You CAN fly a CAT1 autoland with CAT2 or CAT3 on the FMA as long as minima is published for that runway that is lower than CAT1, no LVP’s required as it’s a CAT1 approach.

It’s a minefield out there!

LD