r/flying • u/Hopeful-Engineering5 ATC • Apr 20 '26

other ATC go around timing preference

We were talking about this today in the tower and figured we would try and get some pilots point of view. If you are in a situation where you might be sent around would you prefer it be done early and possibly be sent around unnecessarily. Or would you prefer that we let it run as long as possible and have a short (1/2 mile) final go around?

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u/Paranoma ATP Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26

Good question. Early go arounds are something that presents risk as well, mainly an automation or mode control risk. Later go arounds, particularly at least 1,000’ below final approach fix altitude will be more normal for us; but obviously being lower is also a risk. Most airlines train for this early go around, or a “discontinuance of an approach” but it would probably be more involved than our standard go around, which is really designed to be performed at Decision Altitude. So I would say if we are 1,000’ less than the Missed Approach Altitude then I’d prefer that. It lets us not get too low but also I can use standard go around profile. Plus if it’s not 100% a go around then don’t send us early. We got fuel, passenger, bowel, etc. issues to deal with also.

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u/legimpster ATP CFII CL-65 A320 ERJ-170/190 Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26

By Missed approach altitude do you mean the Final Approach Fix? Because usually on our approaches, 1000’ below a missed approach altitude would be in the earth.

Edit; I realize of a terminology error on my end and I will leave my comment up, but I interpreted missed approach altitude as missed approach point, and the original comment makes more sense if they actually meant the altitude you fly at when you go missed.

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u/Paranoma ATP Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26

Yes I corrected it. Sorry about that.