Diff b/n Discontinued Approach and Goaround initiated by ATC?

[karim5sd]

Hi Everyone,

Can anybody tell me what's the difference between Discontinue Approach and Goaround clearance issued by ATC?

[Talkdownman]

'Discontinued Approach' - Aircraft 'Broken-off' approach by ATC using radar vectors.

'Go-around clearance issued by ATC' - Aircraft flies go-around procedure or as instructed.

Any good?

[karim5sd]

Does it means Discontinued Approach clearance shall be given by only Approach RADAR controller??

[Blockla]

I'd have thought a discontinued approach would only happen above the MSA, otherwise it's a go-round. A discontinued approach may follow the go-round (missed approach) procedure the go-round will (or should) follow the missed Approach at least until above the MSA.

Of course if it's daylight and good visual conditions a visual break off may be issued too just to complicate things... There are also complications of design such as parallel runways where a break-out procedure may be in place.

Vectors may not always be given on a discontinued approach and there would be no requirement for a discontinue approach to be issued exclusively by a radar unit; but the controller involved would be issuing some sort of tracking instructions...

[Talkdownman]

Surveillance Minimum Altitudes (as on the SMA Chart) also complicate things. Either ATC discontinues the approach before the SMAs (as opposed to the MSA...), alternatively the aircrew fly the IAP, then the MAP if necessary back to terrain-safe altitudes.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

<<Goaround clearance issued by ATC>>

Surely it's not a clearance, it's a definite instruction?

[Talkdownman]

It might be in Goa...

[Blockla]

SMA's aren't applicable to all approach environments... Specially in a wide brown land...