AWOPS

Question 1

A runway is shown in LIDO to have CAT3 minima. Can you use them?

Answer 1

Provided the CCI pages identify what minima BA may use - yes. The fact that mins might be shown in the ILS page only indicates that the runway supports CAT 3 Ops but the runaway may NOT be approved by BA.

Question 2

If there is a note in CCI pages for a LIDO CAT 3 runway that reads “Not Auth BA Ops” what minima can you use?

Answer 2

Those shown on the LIDO ILS chart (in other words the lowest minima without “company” annotated) which generally will be CAT 2. Following an Autoland on such a runway report back to Aerodromes and Performance.

Question 3

What section of OMA covers AWOPS?

Answer 3

Section 8.22

Question 4

Following the withdrawal of take-off minima on CARD where would you find the take-off minima for a given runway?

Answer 4

From the AOI pages of LIDO. Note that the published minima are the lowest supported by a given runway and may not be appropriate to the aeroplane type on the day! i.e. lowest mins at LHR are 75m but if you have no PVD then it’s going to be 125m!

Question 5

Lowest take-off minima for a 777 with and without PVD?

Answer 5

75m with PVD (only require Capt PVD)
125m without PVD

Question 6

Which RVR transmissometers are required for take-off?

Answer 6

OMA 8.22.3.d RVR reporting is required below 400m. Above 200m technically only the TDZ. It is permissible for the commander to evaluate this from the flight deck. However if the MP is reported it MUST be taken into account AND if either of these were < 200m the SE would also be required AND all of them must be above the relevant minima.

When the reported meteorological visibility (VIS) is below that required for take-off and RVR is not reported, a take-off should only be commenced if the Commander can determine that the visibility along the take-off runway is equal to or better than the required minimum.

When no reported meteorological visibility or RVR is available, a take-off should only be commenced if the Commander can determine that the visibility along the take-off runway is equal to or better than the required minimum.

Question 7

The TDZ RVR is u/s and the MP and SE are below 200m. Can you depart?

Answer 7

Technically “yes”. Provided the MP and SE are above the relevant minima for PVD status (75m or 125m) or state minima the commander may assess the TDZ from the flight deck.

Question 8

How many light @ 15m spacing represent 75m/125m/150m?

Answer 8

75m - 4 lights
125m - 7 lights
150m - 9 lights

Question 9

Below what visibility MUST you have RVR measurement for take-off? For landing?

Answer 9

Take-off - 400m (with proviso that the initial part of the take-off run can be assessed by the commander).

Landing - 550m (generally CAT 1 minima).

Note: LHR AOI states 600m for LVPS.

Question 10

What is a low visibility take-off?

Answer 10

Viz < 400m/1300ft LVP’s must be in force.

Question 11

What is the minimum visibility permissible for take-off without ANY form of runway lighting?

Answer 11

500m DAY ONLY (proviso that pilot must be able to continuously identify take-off surface and maintain directional control)

Question 12

The take-off minima in USA/Canada vary according to what facilities are available but what are the lowest minima?

Answer 12

USA - 500ft/500ft/500ft

Canada - 600ft/600ft/600ft

Question 13

Where do you tune the PVD and when will it ‘unshutter’?

Answer 13

FMC NAV/RAD page. 45deg of runway heading.

Question 14

How would you know if a runway has coded centre-line lights and what speeds would be appropriate?

Answer 14

On the IAC plate legend chart availability of coded RCLL are depicted as a red/white line. At 900m the light alternate red/white (90kts) and in the last 300m all red (30kts). Note in USA the RE lights are amber in the last 2000ft/600m. Depicted on IAC in ‘orange/amber’ hi-light alongside edge of runway.

Question 15

With respect to LIDO published minima, if you see ‘ACFT MAX 65/7’ can you apply those minima and what does it mean?

Answer 15

YES! OMA 8.22.12. The figures refer to the wingspan and the relationship of the GP aerial to landing gear.

Question 16

Autoland wind limits are?

Answer 16

25kts HWC & CWC 15kts TWC. EXCEPT USA when the CWC is 15kts.
Note: max demonstrated in non-LVO approx 30/30/15 with both two & single eng ops

Question 17

Autoland Glideslope range limits?

Answer 17

2.5-3.25deg

Question 18

What flap settings are approved for Autoland?

Answer 18

F30 and F20 only.

Question 19

A runaway has downgraded/temporarily failed transmissometers. What/which RVR transmissometers are required for landing CAT2 and below?

Answer 19

Essentially you might get away with x1 only. From 8.22.11 “Effect on Landing Minima of Temporarily Failed or Downgraded Ground Equipment”

For CAT3B NO DH - At least one RVR value to be available on the aerodrome

For CAT3B/3A/CAT2 On runways equipped with two or more RVR assessment units, one may be inoperative (so you could get away with one RVR).

Question 20

On a CAT3B/3A/CAT2 approach you hear the a/c ahead of you go-around. What might this alert you to?

Answer 20

OMA 8.22.A Background Info - the possibility of multi path interference affecting your own approach. An A380 vacating ahead may also lead to similar interference.

Question 21

Absolute CAT3B landing minima for a 777?

Answer 21

75m/75m/(75m)

Question 22

Absolute CAT3A minima? CATB minima?

Answer 22

CAT 3A Minima (generally 200m)/125m/75m. Note: CAT3A TDZ minima are never less than 200m and CAT2 never less than 300m but either may well be higher. Refer to LIDO CCI charts for specific runways.

CAT 3B - 75/75/75 if relevant (speed < 60kts).

Question 23

When would the Stop-end be considered ‘relevant’ and if so what is the required RVR?

Answer 23

If it is considered the a/c speed will exceed 60kts in that portion of the runaway. If it is assessed to be relevant then the required RVR is always 75m. My thoughts: on a long runway (e.g LHR) selection of AB4 on a dry runway or even wet (BA-good) F30 gives an LDR on a -300 of approx 2290m and would effectively make the STOP-END irrelevant at MLW on all types.

Question 24

Visual Requirements for landing?

Answer 24

CAT1/RNAV/NPA – ‘distinctly visible’    
CAT2 (LTS CAT1) – x3 ‘centreline’ lights and lateral element of ground pattern.
CAT3A – x3 ‘centreline’ lights
CAT3B – 1 centreline light
CAT3b NO DH – No viz rqmnts

Note: Available in Low Viz Aide Memoire > Ops Info

Question 25

The sequence of events from 1500RA.

Answer 25

1500RA – other 2 AP’s engage. LAND3/LAND2/NO AUTOLAND annunciated. FLARE/ROLLOUT arm.
1000RA – auto ‘1000’. Confirm Mins, chk PFD, Capt “Autoland xxxft or NO DH I have control”
500RA – Rwy align begins if > 10 deg crab
200RA – Alert Ht. NO LAND 3/LAND 2 inhibited (If landing clearance has not been received Go-Around unless visual!) 2nd Rwy align.
100RA – LAND 2 AP trims
50RA – Flare commences (note should be auto call of ’50 above’ if DH set)
25RA – Throttles retard
5RA – Wings level roll-out engaged
5RA – plus 2secs A/T disconnects.

Question 26

What would your actions be ABOVE Alert heights for various failures?

Answer 26

Above ALERT

AP disconnect ANYTIME –MUST GO AROUND
AT disconnect – Limitations now mandate that the AT is required for a CAT3B approach.Therefore if CAT3B and NO REVERSION you must discontinue approach.
If CAT3A/CAT2 or you have reversion control manually.
Speedbrake Extended – above alert ht retract speedbrakes
NO AUTOLAND EICAS – during CAT2/3 approach go-around. CAT 1 mins will apply
NO LAND 3 EICAS – (LAND2 PFD) CAT3A mins apply. ALL CAT3 ops a DH MUST be set if reverting. If workload/time permits re-calc app mins and re-bug if not go-around
Eng Fail – continue approach. Above 1500ft control yaw with rudder.
ILS deviation Alert– (amber flashing pointer) Go Around

Question 27

What would be your actions BELOW Alert Height for various failures?

Answer 27

Below Alert (Go-Around for everything EXCEPT Engine Failure)
AP Disc ANYTIME – GO AROUND 
AT Disc – Go-Around
Speedbrake Extended – Go-Around.
NO AUTOLAND – Go-Around
ILS Deviation – Go-Around
Eng Fail other EICAS Alert - Continue

Question 28

Technically what visibility defines LVO?

Answer 28

400m for take-off and 550m for landing.

Question 29

Describe the yellow taxiway pavement markings at a CAT 1 and CAT2/3 holding point.

Answer 29

CAT 1 - double yellow line and double dotted line.

CAT2/3 - ‘stepladder’ type yellow markings.

Question 30

What other ‘light’ protection might you find addition to the yellow pavement taxiway markings?

Answer 30

Flashing ‘wig-wag’ guard lights at edge of taxiway (or for wide taxiways they may be inset into the taxiway).

Also the taxiway centreline lights alternate green/yellow if they lead to or from a CAT2/3 runway.