Just a Flight Instructor here, so I am not working with this in daily business. But my curiousness regarding CAT II/III ops and certification standards begs me to ask.
Referring to CS-AWO
321-Installed Equipment for DH 50 ft or greater, there are three suggested setups, in a nutshell:
1) Fail-passive automatic approach system without automatic landing, 321(b)(1)
2) Fail-passive automatic landing, automatic go-around, 321(b)(2)
3) Fail-passive automatic landing, manual go-around, 321(b)(3)
Referring to CS-AWO
304-Control of flight path and ground roll
(a) The primary mode of controlling the aeroplane must be automatic until the main wheels touch the ground (except as in CS-AWO 321(b)(1)), and for operation with no decision height, control must be automatic until the nose wheels touch down
So the question is, can you get CAT IIIA approved without autoland function? Thinking about scenario 321(b)(1). How far down the approach (until contact?) do you need to use automatic approach system? I know the EU-OPS requires auto-coupled approach to an height of 80 % of applicable DH for the minimum RVR values to apply.
I understand their may be many different variations out there under different certifying authorities. I seem to recall, some time ago, someone writing the EMB170 approved for handflown to 50 ft DH using HUD. Could be wrong though.... I just don't grasp the big picture.....
Appreciate any help in this matter!!