AIRCRAFT GO-AROUND MANEUVER

One question that is frequently asked in aviation circles about piloting issue is as to why a go-around was not carried out when the approach was unstable.

 Looking at the data that is out there, the stats point out that only 2-3% of the unstabilised approaches end in a go-around.Well then, the questions that are being asked about go-arounds seem justified and needs an in-depth look at various facets as to why it is so.

What is it that makes a well trained and proficient crew shy away from conducting a go-around on the approach when it is required so??

ENFORCEMENT OF LASER PENALTIES BY FAA

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has directed its investigators and staff to pursue stiffer penalties for individuals who purposefully point laser devices at aircraft.This comes against the backdrop of increased laser pointing incidents.

UNSTABILISED APPROACH :Inappropriate ATC Speed Instructions

  The Flight Safety Foundation has found that a crew’s inability to control the aircraft to the desired flight parameters (airspeed, altitude, rate of descent) was a major factor in 45 % of 76 approach-and-landing accidents and serious incidents. Flight-handling difficulties have occurred in situations which included rushing approaches, attempts to comply with demanding ATC clearances, adverse weather conditions and improper use of automation.

At many airports, ATC speed controls are rigorously followed for expeditious handling of traffic.  At times the controllers fail to take into consideration presence of significant headwind or tailwind conditions present at altitude and give speed control instructions that are incompatible with the required vertical profile below FL100 and distance to go to land.

This places an unusually high workload on the pilot to achieve the desired flight path and affects the crew’s ability maintain situational awareness.

With modern aircraft designed to have efficient aerodynamic characteristic which needs longer distances for descent and deceleration there is an increased risk of an unstabilised approach developing, which may be difficult to correct and culminate in either a go around or a poorly handled landing with increased  risk of runway excursions.