...for getting me in and out of here this morning:

KPDX 051553Z 00000KT 1/8SM R10R/0600V0700FT FZFG VV002 M02/M03 A3044 RMK AO2 TWR VIS 1/4 SLP307 I1001 T10221028

I can't even see the de-icer truck 50 feet from the terminal window, and you guys are landing!

I'm glad you do what you do.

It is definitely a different kind of flying Zane, and it is our privilege to get individuals like yourself safely from point A to point B.

Here I am pitching Troy's book somewhere over Europe.

Zzz wrote:...for getting me in and out of here this morning:

KPDX 051553Z 00000KT 1/8SM R10R/0600V0700FT FZFG VV002 M02/M03 A3044 RMK AO2 TWR VIS 1/4 SLP307 I1001 T10221028

I can't even see the de-icer truck 50 feet from the terminal window, and you guys are landing!

I'm glad you do what you do.

As a passenger, knowledgeable of weather… I would have been headed for home!
There is no place on this Earth worth trying to get to, when the weather is reported that low!

IMO….

Kommi

Awwwww, but AS has "The Fog Buster".

Then again, the ducks were walking....a clue.

MTV

We require 500 RVR for takeoff. At typical Vr speed for my aircraft that's only about a 2 second look ahead distance, not much. Landing requires a reported RVR of 300 to start the approach but once established on the final segment it can go down to zero and we can continue to land. Trying to find your way to the gate can be a bit sporty. If it isn't at least 65' in front of me I can't see it due to the cut off angle of the nose. Anything less than 200' & 1/2 mile vis company requires an autoland. 3 autopilots all coupled up, does a nice job but it's very creepy feeling the wheels roll on when you can't see the ground. Fortunately, that happens in the simulator much more frequently than in real life.

Zane,

Thanks for saying thanks!

Often when asked what the wx is, in my head I'm thinking..."Does it matter? We are going anyway." The point being, these machines are pretty impressive with what they can do and there isn't a lot that is a show stopper. It's pretty amazing to watch the automation do a real Cat III approach. This type of flying has its moments.

One more advantage to autoland is you don't have to wake up the Captain until it is time to clear the runway.

Grassstrippilot wrote:Often when asked what the wx is, in my head I'm thinking..."Does it matter? We are going anyway." The point being, these machines are pretty impressive with what they can do and there isn't a lot that is a show stopper. It's pretty amazing to watch the automation do a real Cat III approach. This type of flying has its moments.

I talked to a pilot in the terminal and asked him what the story was with cat III at PDX. There is a Cat III on 10R which is all dandy but the limiting factor is the aircraft. The Horizon guys were equipped with HUD on their Q400s but the Skywest CRJs were not, supposedly. The Horizon guys were getting in while that METAR above was active.

Zzz wrote:

Grassstrippilot wrote:Often when asked what the wx is, in my head I'm thinking..."Does it matter? We are going anyway." The point being, these machines are pretty impressive with what they can do and there isn't a lot that is a show stopper. It's pretty amazing to watch the automation do a real Cat III approach. This type of flying has its moments.

I talked to a pilot in the terminal and asked him what the story was with cat III at PDX. There is a Cat III on 10R which is all dandy but the limiting factor is the aircraft. The Horizon guys were equipped with HUD on their Q400s but the Skywest CRJs were not, supposedly. The Horizon guys were getting in while that METAR above was active.

"Fog buster" was the name AS used to publicize their HUD when they first started using it on the 737s. The approach into JUN is flat scary the way they're flying it.....being that close to the rocks on approach is not for the faint of heart.

MTV

Ha Ha! You Sissys!

Try it in a ratted out C207 on a Special VFR day.

Gump

JK, don't try that shit near big rocks or other stuff to run into.

On final approach into St Thomas last week.

83* F and fair winds out of the southeast.

Had to spend 27 hours in this Hell Hole.

MAU MAU,

That sounds like tough duty. I'm sure all your coworkers appreciate your willingness to take one for the team by accepting that assignment...

Mr. Ed wrote:We require 500 RVR for takeoff. At typical Vr speed for my aircraft that's only about a 2 second look ahead distance, not much. Landing requires a reported RVR of 300 to start the approach but once established on the final segment it can go down to zero and we can continue to land. Trying to find your way to the gate can be a bit sporty. If it isn't at least 65' in front of me I can't see it due to the cut off angle of the nose. Anything less than 200' & 1/2 mile vis company requires an autoland. 3 autopilots all coupled up, does a nice job but it's very creepy feeling the wheels roll on when you can't see the ground. Fortunately, that happens in the simulator much more frequently than in real life.

I got creeped out just reading that!

Sometimes those type of approach's come after a 12 hour leg and when you should be your best you are sometimes less than that physically. That's where the automation saves the day.