1. Every sim check will include a non-precision approach. On the line, there is nothing stopping you asking for any available approach to a given runway. In practice, if an ILS is available, that will be the default approach type and most pilots will do that most of the time. It is not uncommon though for requests to be made for a non-precision approach for training or practice purposes. In Europe, there are ILSs at the majority of airports served by commercial flights. The only place I fly to with any frequency where the ILS is not the default approach would be Nice.
2. BA Short Haul pilots can fly the A319/20/21 variants but a sub-group, trained for the steep approaches at LCY, also fly the A318. My old licence used to have A318-321 on it even though my outfit never flew the 318. I suspect Air France and others that operate all the narrow body Airbus types have a common pilot pool.
Last edited by Doug E Style; 8th Sep 2015 at 13:24.
Reason: Clarity