CAT II DEFINITIONS

The category II is a precision approach corresponding to weather minima as

mentioned here below:
ICAO definition
A category II approach is a precision instrument approach and landing with
decision height (DH) lower than 60m (200ft) but not less than 30m (100ft), and a
runway visual range not less than 350m (1200ft).
FAA definition
A category II approach is a precision instrument approach and landing with
decision height (DH) lower than 200ft (60m) but not lower than 100ft (30m), and a
runway visual range less than 2400ft (800m) but not less than 1200ft (350m).

CATEGORY III
A CAT III operation is a precision approach at lower than CAT II minima. CAT Ill is
divided in three sub-categories: CAT III A, CAT III B, and CAT III C, associated with
three minima levels ( CAT III A is associated with highest minima, and CAT III C with
lowest minima).
CAT III A DEFINITIONS
ICAO and FAA definition
A category III A approach is a precision instrument approach and landing with no
decision height or a decision height lower than 100ft (30m) and a runway visual
range not less than 700ft (200m).
CAT III B DEFINITIONS
ICAO and FAA definition
A category III B approach is a precision approach and landing with no decision height
or a decision height lower than 50ft (15m) and a runway visual range less than 700ft
(200m), but not less than 150ft (50m).
CAT III C DEFINITION
ICAO and FAA definition
A category III C approach is a precision approach and landing with no decision height
and no runway visual range limitation.
Decision height concept:
Decision height is a specified point in space at which a pilot must make an
operational decision. The pilot must decide if the visual references adequate to
safely continue the approach have been established. If the visual references have
not been established, a go-around must be executed.

If the visual references have been established, the approach can be continued.
However, the pilot may always decide to execute a go-around if sudden
degradations in the visual references or a sudden flight path deviation occur.

The DH is measured by means of radio-altimeter

Alert height concept:
Alert height is a height defined for Category III operations with a fail-operational
landing system.
- Above AH, a go-around must be initiated if a failure(1) affects the fail-operational
landing system.
(1) The list of these failures is mentioned in the AFM.
Below AH, the approach will be continued (except if AUTOLAND warning is
triggered).The AH is evaluated during aircraft certification; it is set at 100ft for A300,
A310, A319, A320, A321 and 200ft for A330, A340.

FAIL-PASSIVE AUTOMATIC LANDING SYSTEM

An automatic landing system is fail-passive if, in the event of a failure, there is no
significant out-of-trim condition or deviation of flight path or attitude but the landing
is not completed automatically. For a fail-passive automatic landing system the pilot
assumes control of the aircraft after a failure (JAA).
On Airbus aircraft since the A320, fail-passive capability is announced by the
display of CAT 3 SINGLE on the PFD.

FAIL-OPERATIONAL AUTOMATIC LANDING SYSTEM

An automatic landing system is fail-operational if, in the event of a failure below
alert height, the approach, the flare and landing can be completed by the
remaining part of the automatic system. In the event of failure, the automatic
landing system will operate as a fail-passive system (JAA).
On Airbus aircraft since the A320, fail operational capability is announced by the
display of CAT 3 DUAL on the PFD.