If the runway is shorter than 8,000 feet, which autoland minimums must be used?

If the runway is shorter than 8,000 feet, which autoland minimums must be used?

• A. CAT IIIA SINGLE (Fail Passive): 50' DH / 600 RVR; One autopilot; Yes A/THR
• B. CAT IIIA DUAL (Fail Operational): 100' AH / 600 RVR; Both autopilot; Yes A/THR
• C. CAT IIIB (CAT III DUAL): 100' AH / 300 RVR; Both autopilot; Yes A/THR
• D. CAT II (CAT II, CAT III SINGLE, OR CAT III DUAL): 100' DH / 1000 RVR; One autopilot; No A/THR

Answer: (D)

On runways shorter than 8,000 feet, autoland minimums are kept at a more conservative level to ensure a safe recovery path within the limited rollout distance. The requirement shifts to CAT II minimums rather than CAT III, reflecting the tighter constraints of a short runway. The scenario calls for a CAT II autoland with a 100-foot decision height and 1,000-foot runway visual range, using a single autopilot and not requiring autothrottle. This setup provides sufficient safety margins for a short-field autoland: the higher visibility threshold helps ensure you have enough visual cues during the landing rollout, and the single autopilot with no autothrottle reduces automation dependence in a tighter environment. The other options demand either more aggressive minima (lower DH or much lower RVR) or greater automation (dual autopilots and autothrottle), which aren’t authorized for runways under 8,000 feet.

On runways shorter than 8,000 feet, autoland minimums are kept at a more conservative level to ensure a safe recovery path within the limited rollout distance. The requirement shifts to CAT II minimums rather than CAT III, reflecting the tighter constraints of a short runway. The scenario calls for a CAT II autoland with a 100-foot decision height and 1,000-foot runway visual range, using a single autopilot and not requiring autothrottle.

This setup provides sufficient safety margins for a short-field autoland: the higher visibility threshold helps ensure you have enough visual cues during the landing rollout, and the single autopilot with no autothrottle reduces automation dependence in a tighter environment. The other options demand either more aggressive minima (lower DH or much lower RVR) or greater automation (dual autopilots and autothrottle), which aren’t authorized for runways under 8,000 feet.