Mr. Aileron Drag wrote:
You have so hit the nail on the head. Flying manually in the sim was a breeze, because you were wide awake and living on adrenaline. But for a major airport to offer only a visual approach to a dog-tired crew is dreadful.
If you are telling me that ILS is always available, never fails, and is at every airport then, then a visual should never be done.
If you are saying that even flying the G/S you never ever transition to a visual landing then again, a visual should never be done.
Unfortunately - none of these are true. Competency in flying a visual approach is required. On top of that, not sure it's particularly more effort (unless one has completely lost to skill to fly the thing by hand). Also, no evidence that the folks at the wheel were anywhere near dog-tired.