Controller instuctions according to our Bible - the Manual of Air Traffic Control - with regard to protection of the missed approach.
306 PROTECTION OF THE MISSED APPROACH
Separation shall be applied between an IFR flight on missed approach and other aircraft in accordance with the applicable airspace rules. An aircraft that is unable to establish visual reference by the MAPt is required to carry out the published missed approach procedure. Aircraft may need to carry out a missed approach for other reasons.
When conditions are at or above the published circling minima for an arriving aircraft’s approach category and the type of approach, the missed approach may be protected by instructing the pilot to circle visually within the aerodrome traffic circuit by day or night, except that:
- circling instructions shall not be issued where circling is not authorized for the aircraft approach category or type of approach; and
- circling instructions shall not be issued to category D aircraft; and
- for approach category C aircraft, the known or reported MET conditions shall be equal to, or better than, ceiling 2000 ft and visibility 8 km or the circling minima for the aircraft approach category and the type of approach, whichever is the higher.
Where a higher criteria or other conditions apply, this shall be documented in LUO’s
Note: For all aerodromes:
The pilot may decline circling at any stage during the approach if it is considered unsafe. In this circumstance, separation must be established by the quickest means practicable and essential traffic information given if applicable. Confirmation of ability to circle should be established earlier rather than later.
A controller shall not use this procedure when:
- MET conditions such as fluctuating cloud base, severe turbulence or strong cross winds are reported to an aircraft or broadcast on the ATIS; or
- It is known or suspected that the pilot is unfamiliar with the aerodrome; or
- The pilot advises approach or aerodrome control at any time that they are unable to carry out this procedure.
Phraseology examples:
1) When ATC initiates the procedure:
“FOR SEPARATION, CONTINUE (type) APPROACH. WHEN VISUAL (circuit joining instructions) RUNWAY (number). REMAIN IN THE CIRCUIT [(level details)]. TRAFFIC IS (details)”
2) When a pilot unexpectedly initiates a missed approach and MET conditions are suitable for visual circling:
“FOR SEPARATION, REMAIN IN THE CIRCUIT, RUNWAY (runway), [(circuit joining instructions)] [(level details)]. TRAFFIC IS(DETAILS)”.
Note: the pilot may refuse circling. See previous Note.
306.1 ARRIVING AIRCRAFT REQUESTING A MISSED APPROACH
When a request for a missed approach is received from an arriving aircraft that is not experiencing an emergency, the aircraft may, for separation purposes, be instructed to:
- continue the approach down to a level which is separated from other aircraft prior to permitting the missed approach to be carried out; or
- carry out a visual circuit, provided that the conditions specified above are met.
All copy right of course.