The A220 autoland system represents a significant leap forward in automated landing technology, offering pilots the ability to conduct safe, precise landings with minimal visibility and reduced workload. Throughout aviation history, landing has often been the most demanding phase of flight, requiring acute situational awareness and deft control inputs. Yet, from the first instrument landing systems developed in the mid-20th century to the fully integrated flight control computers of modern jets, automated landing features have continually evolved to make these critical final moments safer and more efficient. The A220 autoland system is the latest pinnacle of this progress, embedding advanced sensor fusion, robust redundancy, and streamlined pilot interfaces into Bombardier’s popular narrow-body aircraft.

Evolution of Autoland in Commercial Aviation

Early automatic landing technologies emerged alongside the development of instrument landing systems (ILS), which provided ground-based radio signals for precise horizontal (localizer) and vertical (glideslope) guidance. As computers and sensor capabilities advanced, autoland systems began incorporating additional data sources—like radio altimeters and inertial reference units (IRUs)—to refine the touchdown phase. Over time, regulatory approvals for low-visibility landings (e.g., CAT IIIa, CAT IIIb) expanded as aircraft manufacturers demonstrated fail-operational designs capable of safely landing even if one component were to fail. This combination of rigorous standards, computer-driven flight management, and improved sensor arrays paved the way for the high-tech A220 autoland system we see today.

Core Components and Functionality

The A220 autoland system is enabled when the crew selects an ILS approach and pushes the approach (APPR) switch on the Flight Control Panel (FCP). Once active, the aircraft’s Primary Flight Control Computers (PFCCs) take over from the standard flight guidance, providing specialized lateral and vertical modes—ALIGN, FLARE, and ROLLOUT—to smoothly guide the aircraft onto the runway.

• ALIGN: Activates around 200 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) to counter any crosswind-induced crab angle, ensuring the aircraft is correctly aligned with the runway centerline.
• FLARE: Engages at roughly 50 feet AGL and smoothly reduces the aircraft’s descent rate for touchdown. Simultaneously, the autothrottle system retards thrust levers to idle between 50 and 25 feet AGL.
• ROLLOUT: Keeps the aircraft on runway centerline by commanding the rudder and nosewheel steering after touchdown. Pilots retain full authority to override or disengage as needed.

This system relies on multiple sensor inputs—ILS, IRUs, radio altimeters, air data probes, and more—to ensure reliable, accurate information. The PFCCs cross-verify all incoming data; if any channel displays anomalies, the system quickly downgrades its autoland capability (e.g., from LAND3 to LAND2) or disengages entirely (displaying NO LAND), prompting pilots to proceed with a manual landing or use an alternate mode.

Benefits and Unique Features

Fail-operational design in the A220 autoland system (LAND3) allows the aircraft to complete a Category IIIb landing even after a single sensor failure. This high-redundancy approach not only boosts safety but also reduces the likelihood of a missed approach in deteriorating weather conditions. Meanwhile, the fail-passive version (LAND2) supports Category IIIa approaches, ensuring a safe exit or pilot intervention if a critical error occurs. By automatically transitioning the aircraft from approach to rollout, the A220 autoland system not only enhances passenger comfort with smoother touchdowns but also significantly reduces pilot workload in poor visibility scenarios.

Looking Ahead

Looking to the future, automated landing capabilities will likely become even more robust with the inclusion of enhanced vision systems, real-time terrain mapping, and advanced data analytics. Such developments will further refine approach profiles, improve landing accuracy in extreme weather, and extend operational capabilities into airports with challenging geography. While the pilot remains in ultimate command, the A220 autoland system demonstrates how advanced automation can serve as a dependable co-pilot, delivering unmatched safety and reliability for both seasoned aviators and newcomers alike.