Originally Posted by
ewrbasedpilot
And just how many single engine CAT III approaches has one done in a career???
In thirty one years I've never even lost an engine (helos AND airplanes no less). In 10 years with CAL I've done (just guessing) probably 3 or 4 ACTUAL , honest to GOD CAT II approaches. Seems like having and keeping another 450 HUD systems would be a real waste of money....JMHO. The airplanes seem to do well without them and I think if I'm down to one engine and the WX is that bad, I sure as heck don't want to do a CAT III approach. I like the OLD round dial airplanes, they're easier to land (and most have two jumpseats)..................
That is a great career. I've had numerous engine malfunc's and 2 complete failures on Boeings.
The point of the endorsement for HUD's or HGS is that they are Virtually manitenance free.
West US cities SFO, SEA, PDX and more routinely have Cat 3 wx. and on different airplanes Maint can spend 20 minutes or more on FGC confidence checks each day. That's 20 minutes those mechanics can spend doing real maint on other aircraft. That is probably why Management belives the Huds/HGS pay for themselves in two years time.
I've only seen a HUD inop on two occasions. I've seen countless a/c downgraded to Cat 1 on a weekly basis.