A320 Autoland Light
 

Is it required to check the serviceability of the autoland light (red flashing light) prior to conducting an autoland?

I've flown with a captain that says it is required....but I was never taught that.

I will ask one of the trainers when I next fly with one...in the meantime, is it required for you guys?

Thanks.

Hi,

Thanks so much. So it's not (really) required to check then.

Cheers.:ok:

It all depends on what your Ops manual says. It was not a requirement to check at my previous airline, however my current employers ops manual states:

This is done during the approach briefing.

Your ops manuals should clearly state this. Don't just trust what PPRuNers say, but ask this captain for a reference to his supposed SOP. If he cannot give the reference, it is probably not SOP.

Within my company in our QRH we have some CAT II/III guidelines (yellow pages) where we go trough before any CAT II/III approach.

Here is a short Copy/Past

PRIOR TO OR DURING DESCENT

CM1 is PF.
Check airfield facilities status (CAT III RWY, Notams,...).
Check aircraft STS page & table of requirements (A/C malfunction).
Press / check Autoland warning annunciators.
Determine applicable minimas (States minimas).
Check / Set “NO” in DH box on MCDU “PERF APPR” page.
Review approach / missed approach and go around procedures. Review airport low visibility procedures.
Review CM1 and CM2 call-outs during APPR.
Review procedures in case of malfunction during APPR:
Refer to FCOM PRO-NOR-SRP-01 FMS Approach (Failures and associated actions).

We press and check it with the LS option ON to see the LOC/GS scale blinking. And we do it on both sides (CPT and FO).

It will most probably one day save your ass as EcamSurprise stated.