Post by thread:[OT] Driverless trucks ...was:Matternet

That's not likely not true, but the blind landings require certain equipment, plane and crew certifications. There have been significant changes in the last few years. Zero visibility landings are more interesting once on the ground, with navigating around on the runway and taxiways when you can't see anything. It was not unusual to send a vehicle to drive out and leas the plane in. Then the hazard is taxiing on to an active runway, or collision with other objects on the ground. It's hard enough to keep those wingtips damage free. An interesting item is private operators, not for hire can depart (with normal IFR clearances) in zero visibility. This could be a company owned plane with only company employees on board. But generally the ability to return to the same airport safely governs the go/no-go decision. On 2/22/2012 1:01 AM, Sean Breheny wrote: {Quote hidden}> In the US at least, to my knowledge, it is not allowed to land with > zero visibility unless there is an emergency. Each approach path to > each runway has a "decision height". While you are on approach in > instrument meteorological conditions, you can fly the approach > completely "blind" up until decision height. At that point, however, > if you cannot see the runway by eye or at least see the runway lights > by eye, you must abort the landing and fly to your designated > alternate landing site (or some other landing site or a different > runway at the same airport or sit in a holding pattern until the > weather improves). > > Of course, the above does not determine whether you use Auto-land or > do it manually but it does indicate that you should not normally be > landing in ultra-low visibility anyway. > > Sean > > > On Mon, Feb 20, 2012 at 10:53 AM, Tamas Rudnai<spam_OUTtamas.rudnaiTakeThisOuTgmail.com> wrote: > >> Interesting, I thought it was the opposite: Once it was really foggy and >> the pilot announced that now we will use auto pilot for landing as the >> visibility is zero... Everyone become very quiet all in a sudden and some >> was praying for the creator of zeros and ones :-) >> >> Tamas >> >> >> On 20 February 2012 15:21, Chris Roper<.....caroperKILLspam@spam@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> >>> On one flight I was on the Pilot came on the intercom after the landing >>> and said: >>> "sorry for the bumpy landing, regulations state we have to do >>> it manually occasionally to stay in practice" >>> >>> So I guess most landings are under Auto Pilot control too. >>> >>> On 20 February 2012 17:03, Bob Ammerman<picramKILLspamroadrunner.com> wrote: >>> >>> >>>>> when was >>>>> the last time you flew on a robot-controlled airliner? I guess I am >>>>> just getting old... >>>>> >>>>> --Bob A >>>>> >>>> The last time I flew, at least for a good part of the flight, I am sure. >>>> >>>> -- Bob Ammerman >>>> RAm Systems >>>> >>>> --

When, I got out of flying 5 years ago, the blind landings were just starting to get approved, and there were relatively few planes crews approved. There have been significant improvements in the equipment available and quantity installed since then. I have to assume the air carriers (airlines) have taken up on this, and new planes delivered have the capability, many planes retrofitted, and crews trained and certified as part of their routine required (annual) training. And then to insurance carriers frequently have requirements that are beyond the FAA or other government agencies. I recently had a friend with a homebuilt aircraft install an EFIS (Electronic glass screen display) system in his plane. This is common place today, where 7 years ago, the cost was prohibitive. Here's the standard ILS (Instrument landing system) approach procedure for our local airport showing 200' above, and 1/2 mile visibility as minimums http://www.airnav.com/depart?http://155.178.201.160/d-tpp/1202/05703IL7.PDF Here's the Catagory III ILS at Cleveland's airport showing no vertical restriction, but does have RVR 06 (Runway visual range = 600') which is saying the pilot needs a little (600' @ 120 mph) sight distance to navigate on the ground. There might be better info, but this is what I found quickly. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runway_visual_range http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/ILS.htm And On 2/22/2012 8:56 AM, Sean Breheny wrote: > Hi Carl, > > Trying to understand your answer. What do you mean by "That's not > likely not true"? > > On Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 8:50 AM, Carl Denk<.....cdenkKILLspam.....windstream.net> wrote: > >> That's not likely not true, but the blind landings require certain >>