Automatic Landing Operations

AIM ¶ 7-6-18 Automatic Landing Operations

AIM 7-6-18 explains pilot responsibilities for automatic landing operations, including system suitability, NOTAMs, ATC coordination, and ILS course protection.

In Plain English

AIM 7-6-18 outlines what pilots must verify and observe before and during automatic (auto-land) landing operations.

Before engaging an auto-land, you are expected to confirm that your flight control and approach guidance systems can safely fly the landing at that specific runway. Your analysis should consider:

  • ILS classification code (where applicable)
  • Threshold crossing height (TCH)
  • Runway slope
  • Pre-threshold terrain

The FAA only evaluates ground infrastructure for auto-land suitability at runways served by published CAT II, SA CAT II, and CAT III instrument approach procedures. Other runways are not vetted by the FAA for this purpose.

During planning, check NOTAMs and chart notes that could preclude an auto-land — for example, "Localizer unusable inside the threshold" or "Glide slope unusable below xxx feet."

Operationally, pilots should:

  • Advise ATC of intent to conduct an automatic landing (so the localizer/glideslope critical areas can be protected)
  • Stay alert to unsuitable system performance
  • Be prepared to disengage the auto-land system when necessary
  • Observe ILS course and glideslope distortion guidance from AIM 1-1-9k
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 7-6-18
7-6-18. 7-6-18. Automatic Landing Operations Prior to conducting automatic landing operations, pilots are expected to determine that the flight control and instrument approach guidance systems being used permit safe, automatically flown landings to be conducted at that runway. The analysis should include, but not be limited to, ILS classification code where applicable, suitable threshold crossing height, runway slope, and pre-threshold terrain. The FAA only evaluates runways and other ground infrastructure for suitability to support automatic landing operations for those facilities associated with published CAT II, SA CAT II, and CAT III instrument approach procedures. When conducting automatic landing operations, pilots must ensure that the runway, associated procedure, navigation source, and other infrastructure have no outstanding NOTAMs or chart notes that would preclude automatic landing operations (e.g., “Localizer unusable inside the threshold,” or “Glide slope unusable below xxx feet”). Pilots should advise ATC of their intent to conduct an automatic landing, remain alert to any unsuitable system performance, and be prepared to disengage the automatic landing system when necessary. During automatic landing operations using an ILS facility, pilots should understand and observe the provisions of AIM, subparagraph 1–1–9k, ILS Course and Glideslope Distortion. Previous | Top | Next AIM | ATPUBS | FAA | Send your comments regarding this website.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What factors should a pilot analyze before conducting an automatic landing?
Per AIM 7-6-18, the pilot should verify the flight control and instrument approach guidance systems support safe auto-land at that runway, considering ILS classification code, threshold crossing height, runway slope, and pre-threshold terrain, among other factors.
Q2Which runways does the FAA actually evaluate for automatic landing suitability?
Per AIM 7-6-18, the FAA only evaluates runways and ground infrastructure for auto-land suitability at facilities associated with published CAT II, SA CAT II, and CAT III instrument approach procedures.
Q3What should a pilot do operationally when conducting an automatic landing?
Per AIM 7-6-18, pilots should check NOTAMs and chart notes for restrictions (e.g., 'Localizer unusable inside the threshold'), advise ATC of their intent to auto-land, monitor for unsuitable system performance, be prepared to disengage the system, and observe AIM 1-1-9k regarding ILS course and glideslope distortion.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 7
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AIM 7-6-18 — Automatic Landing Operations