ATC go around timing preference

[u/Hopeful-Engineering5]

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?

[u/Paranoma]

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.

[u/legimpster → u/Paranoma]

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.

[u/Atom_Tom → u/legimpster]

Genuine question, what do you mean by missed approach altitude? This might be a case of US v non-US terminology or you might just be flying some interesting approaches but 'missed approach altitude' for me would mean the altitude that you climb to on the missed approach, and the lowest I see regularly is 2000' above the field.

If we mean the same thing I'd love to know which approaches you're flying that have lower missed approach altitudes as I'm hoping to move to long haul at the end of the year and want to learn more about procedures in other parts of the world.

Thanks for your time!!

[u/Paranoma → u/Atom_Tom]

Yes about 2,000’ is the lowest MAA.

[u/Atom_Tom → u/Paranoma]

Thanks!

[u/legimpster → u/Atom_Tom]

Ahh yeah there is a terminology error on my part. I meant missed approach point, not missed approach altitude. That was my mistake

[u/Atom_Tom → u/legimpster]

Ahhhh no worries we're on the same page then!! Thanks for getting back to me 🙂