Hi All,

 

I want to start practicing missed approaches during my flights and just want to clarify something about minimums.

 

After you have set your minimums for the approach and have already begun the descent down past the FAF, you find that for whatever reason you're unable to land and need to execute a missed approach (too high, unstable etc.). Are you supposed to normally continue the approach down to the minimums and then do the missed approach? Or can you do it at any time you decide to go missed before you reach MDA/DH?

Are you supposed to normally continue the approach down to the minimums and then do the missed approach? Or can you do it at any time you decide to go missed before you reach MDA/DH?

 

You can go around at any time. Whether it's 3000 feet or touchdown before the reversers are activated. If you need to go missed, go missed. Don't wait until you get down to 200 feet.

 

To my knowledge, the descision height/altitude is just a/an height/altitude that you need to be able to see the runway and ensure a safe landing can be complete. If you can't see the runway, go missed.

Excellent. Thanks! I knew about the DH/A being the minimum to be able to see the runway but was never too sure about doing a missed approach for other reasons as all published approach procedures give the impression that they happen after you reach that point.

Are you supposed to normally continue the approach down to the minimums and then do the missed approach? Or can you do it at any time you decide to go missed before you reach MDA/DH?

 

At any point as speedbird144 circled in red.

 

Just one point: The Pilot has a responsibility to fly to the MAP and climb to the specified altitude in the MAP procedure (unless there is an altitude restriction) then fly the MAP as published... all unless otherwise instructed by ATC (this for U.S. i.e. possibly different in your neck of the woods).

If you need to conduct a missed approach, you can at any time begine the climb. BUT... you must fly to the missed approach point before any turns... this keeps you within the surveyed area for the approach, therefore protected from any terrain. For instance if you pass the FAF and not stable, you mayelect to go missed. Start the climb to the missed approach altitude, but you need to keep flying to the missed approach point. If you turn early, you could end up in a hill.

 

If it's VMC then ATC may issue you a clearance that allows you to turn early.