Originally Posted by Intruder
DO NOT set a higher altitude when intercepting the G/S from above!!!
Originally Posted by john smith
Airbus SOP (and SOP at both my previous and current companies) is to set a higher altitude than the current aircraft altitude on the FCU to prevent ALT* mode, during an intercept from above.
That's real smart. Miss the GS for whatever reason and you just keep going until you hit the ground.
At what point does your SOP mandate you convert your "ILS" to the LLZ approach, or disconnect the AP and manually get back on the GS, or do you just fly down the ILS/GS in VS?
I suggest that if you/the aircraft is sufficiently out of control not to be stabilised on the approach, with GS captured, you shouldn't be there at all. Setting the ALT SEL high removes that only protection you have. Our SOP is to set the ALT SEL at 1500ft AAL. If you haven't captured the GS by then, you must convert to the options I mentioned above or Go Around.