Real world ops questions: PVD

[Will]

PVD... the paravisual display for use in low-visibility takeoffs.

Am I right that it's just a backup for the view out the windshield? Or would you ever adjust your visibility minimums based on the presence or absence of a functional PVD? Put another way, do fleets that didn't install the optional PVD have any different takeoff minima than fleets that installed it?

From the pilot's perspective, do you find it intuitive, trustworthy, and useful?

How many times are you trained on the PVD in the sim before using it for the first time in the real aircraft?

For fleets that installed them, was use mandatory at certain minimums? Or always captain's discretion?

Thanks!

[John H Watson]

Our FCOM doesn't seem to have many clues on this:

"Low weather minima should not be predicated on the use of the PVD system"

The PVD is part of the preflight check (including turning them to full brightness), but simply says "brightness may be adjusted if used for takeoff" 

[skelsey]

The PVD does allow lower takeoff minima: 100m RVR vs 150m without (assuming full facilities). It's essentially equivalent to an HUD in that regard.

The above for EU-OPS.

(Edit: having quickly searched Subpart E it actually looks as though you can go down to 75m -- I'm sure there is (used to be?) a difference for Cat D aircraft though hence above.... I will trawl a bit more unless anybody knows if/when that changed?).

[Britjet]

The BA 747 could do 75m take-off using the Captain's PVD.
PVD wasn't approved for reducing minima in the US. My information may be out of date now, though.
Peter.