Going around from a high altitude.

[Doug E Style]

Quick question for the ATC pros. In our airline's current sim programme one of the items covered is going around from a high altitude of the approach. I recall once coming down the ILS to 09L at Heathrow when we were broken off the approach without the words "go around" being used. Is there a defined point at which the wording changes from "breaking you off the approach" to the full blown "go around"? Thanks.

[ZOOKER]

Nothing written down, (I don't think), but I would say inside the marker, or where the Outer Marker would be if we still had them, that is, about 4 DME.

[ZOOKER]

Doug,
The RTF phraseology used might also depend on whether you were still working approach, or had been transferred to aerodrome control.

[Gonzo]

The Heathrow 09L missed approach is to climb to altitude 3000ft, with a left turn at 1500ft (well, 1581ft alt, 1501ft height) or 0DME, whichever later.

I'd use the words 'breaking you off the approach' above 1500ft, and give you a turn there and then if I could.

Below 1500ft, I'd give you a 'go around'.

[bookworm]

Surely the words "go around" imply a climb (by default, to missed approach altitude), while the words "breaking you off the approach" do not, and must therefore be accompanied by a different level instruction?

[loubylou]

As Bookworm says - it depends on what the controller says.
If the phrase " go around I say again go around " then follow the published missed approach, unless given other go around instructions.
If the phrase used is " breaking you off the approach " it should be followed by instructions.
The place I work at has the missed approach starting at 4d, so outwith 4d you would be broken off and inside given the standard missed approach ie go around - no matter who you were speaking to

louby

[Doug E Style]

Thanks Gonzo. Is ZOOKER right though that there is nothing official written down about this? (No offence intended ZOOKER, it's just that you didn't sound too sure and Gonzo is a known quantity in this field).

[ZOOKER]

Also if the spacing hasn't worked out and you were catching up slower traffic ahead. Most missed approaches are initially straight ahead, which would reduce the longitudinal spacing further, so breaking off and repositioning would be a better course of action.
Another rarer scenario. At a smaller airfield, in calm conditions, someone could be landing on the opposite end of the runway, (on TWR, while you are still with APP/RAD). If that aircraft initiated its own missed approach, you wouldn't hear it, but I suspect ATC would need to reposition you.
No offence taken Doug, and of course Gonzo has the more comprehensive knowledge!

[fireflybob]

There are some airports where you might have to fly a "descending" go around - Bergamo ILS RW 28 springs to mind which has a "low" missed approach altitude (can't recall figure from memory). The company I work for mentions this in the airport brief and we usually include it in the approach and descent briefing.

[Gonzo]

Doug, I don't believe there is anything written down about this. In fact I fielded an identical question from a pilot not three weeks ago.

Calling me a known quantity....well now, lets not be rash! :}

[point8six]

GONZO - wouldn't breaking off at 1500ft on 09L with a left turn, take us directly over HM's pad at Windsor? "One might not be too amused"!

[Doug E Style]

Gonzo, perhaps the other pilot that asked you this is one of my colleagues from the airline soon to be known as "Lufthansa UK"; we are all doing these high-level "go-arounds" in the summer sim programme. As for a known quantity, all I meant was that you often crop up on here with all the right answers on ATC matters. Unless Heathrow Director beats you to it, of course...

[Wojtus]

For me, "go around" implies executing the published missapp procedure. If ATCO uses "Cancel approach clearance", he should give you instantly instructions what to do next. If he does not, ask. If you can't, follow the missapp procedure.

I also agree that "go around" is strictly tower phrase, while approach controller can use both versions, depending on situation.

[Gonzo]

See, there you go again being rash Doug.... As for a known quantity, all I meant was that you often crop up on here with all the right answers on ATC matters.

But thank you anyway.

Nope, it was the World's Favourite. Might be flavour of the year for the sim!:}

[terrain safe]

Generally if you are no1 you get a go-around, anything else I'll be breaking you off the approach or if there is a departure ahead of you and it all goes a bit non standard, airshowy kind of thing.

[SM4 Pirate]

Whilst my knowledge isn't UK based:

I would tell you to "go-around" if you were close to or below the minimum vectoring altitude (assuming radar environment).

If you were above the MVA and I could stop you at or above the MVA, I would say. "Cancel Approach clearance Maintain A052" or similar; then when you've got over the shock I'll tell you why I'm taking you out and how I'm going to get you back in.

[Jors Troolie]

My query is aimed back at those pilots that read this forum.
If you are still above decision height e.g. at 3 miles or so on the glideslope and, for whatever reason, elect to do a missed approach but can't get a word in to the ATC straight away, do you:
a) maintain present altitude until missed approach point and then climb?
b) continue descent on the glide until at the missed approach point / decision height?
c) immediately commence climb to that published in the missed approach procedure?

[Doug E Style]

Jors,

Our SOPs for a high level go-around state that first of all we level off, bring in one stage of flap and when in level flight raise the landing gear. Then we would climb or descend at a sensible rate to the published missed approach altitude and start accelerating to minimum clean speed retracting flaps as we go. As for the lateral profile, we have to ask what ATC requires or follow the published profile.
In the case you mention though, at only three miles out, we would execute a standard go-around procedure with go-around thrust.

[Monkey Madness]

Just to mix things up....

According to the good book (JSP 552) the UK Military use "Go Around" for aircraft in the visual circuit and "Break Off The Approach" for aircraft outside 2nm.

Additionally they use "Break Off The Approach" for all instrument approaches as a positive clearence must be passed to the pilot by 2nm (at the very latest).

If a controller can't get a positive clearence then the phraseology "Break off the approach, no clearence obtained, ack" is used.... then it gets weird!

You can ask the pilot if he is visual with the aerodrome. If he is you can send him to Tower (so he is actually still continuing towards the runway?!?) If not then it's always "Execute Missed Approach Procedure"

Clear as mud :} MM

[LapSap]

Assuming we're talking about IMC conditions here.
Surely this relates to whether or not the aircraft is above the Minimum Vectoring Altitude or not. If the aircraft is still above the MVA then the clearance for the approach can be cancelled and an altitude/heading to fly can be given. ("Break off the approach" -never heard it used).
If the aircraft is below the MVA then I don't think the controller has the right to do anything except give you the standard missed approach until such time as you are above the MVA and can be given radar vectors.

[Gonzo]

If the aircraft is below the MVA then I don't think the controller has the right to do anything except give you the standard missed approach until such time as you are above the MVA and can be given radar vectors.

Sounds rather dangerous if there's going to be a loss of separation!

[bekolblockage]

Not as dangerous as almost certainly smacking into a mountain if you start trying to turn aircraft off the LLZ below the MVA.

P.S. What is your MVA within 15 NM of LL?

[throw a dyce]

Not many 3000ft mountains next to Heathrow.:ok:For example at Ice station the missed approach is straight ahead to 3000ft,but we are terrain safe at 2000ft to the East.We can break traffic off an approach and be terrain safe below 3000ft.In fact within a certain area to the East we are terrain safe IFR at 1500ft,but I would only use that as a last resort.
In HK you're stuck because of the mountains so it's a different situation.You must go straight ahead to 4500 ft to get terrain safe.Hasn't stopped the odd flypast of the DB golf course though.:eek:

[CAP493]

"Go-around" = if at or inside the applicable Final Approach Fix;
"Break-off the approach" = if outside the Final Approach Fix.

Typically for a 3 degree GP, this will be at about 1200ft - 1300ft above aerodrome elevation.

A 'convention' rather than a laid-down rule, and subject to ATC's variation depending on the urgency of the requirement. :8

[Goldfish Jack]

Break off seems to be one of those "old military" phrases that has crept into the civilian area, if you ask me. There is no real ICAO definition of it (or is there?)

I don't use it but will either tell a pilot to go around, when I want them to fly the MAP, or if I need to terminate the approach and reposition him, I prefer to say "xxx for repositioning ........." Seems to work well for me and I have not had any problems.

[hold at SATAN]

I tend to say "go around" when aircraft is no.1 to land, "break off" for subsequent arrivals with a heading pre-agree(if possible) with approach radar or continue approach, then "go around" when previous aircraft had passed upwind end. ...not always, but most of the time if traffic situation allows