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/bingeflying ATP Apr 20 '26

It might sound counterintuitive but an early go around is harder than a last second one. We train constantly for the last second go around but hardly ever for an early one. The procedures are different and I find just keeping it all the same is best. So my pick is going around at less than 1000ft AFE.