Hi All,
This is the data i've gathered from all 'helpful' people through various methods.
1. Almost ALL regulatory authorities require 3 autolands (some say auto approaches) in 6 months. 2 must (has to) be in the simulator. The 3rd maybe carried out in an aircraft, or in the simulator. (JAR)
2. 2 airlines (out of 11) actually assess their destination airports where pilots may practice these autolands (approaches) and then provide guidance regarding the performance of the ILS and airfield/equipment/etc., (some requiring ATC approval), and also whether they HAVE to disconnect and land at CAT I Decision.
3. The minima required for such a practice is CAT I.
4. NO ONE could say if the manufaturers (Boeing/Airbus) required such an approach to be carried out : to check the aircraft's capability within any period of time (after maintenance, annual, etc).
5. There are a lot of airlines out there, the information got was from pilots of 11 airlines
Now, IMHO, item 2, those airlines are good in providing such guidance, and other airlines who 'require' such 'practice' approaches, SHOULD provide such analytical data (especially, since many of them are practiced WITHOUT LVO protection.
Waiting to hear from manufacturers.
Still don't know what PILOT's feel about the need to practice a LVO approach. One gentleman said, "it's like any other ILS, just different in the last 200ft"
Safe wishes.