ATC command for cancelling approach
 

Hello
Here’s the specific scenario for which I would appreciate if you to give me which type of command you will give to your aircraft :
Let’s say you are an approach /tower controller and your aircraft has established its final approach (tracking the nominated glide path ) . If the missed approach altitude happens to be below the altitude at which the aircraft is currently at , what command would you give to the pilot if you want him to discontinue his approach? “Discontinue approach” or “Go around” ?

Whatever the command might be , what is your further course of action ?
1. Expect the pilot to descent along the glide path till meeting its missed approach altitude and just after passing it initiating it’s go around ?
2. Expect him/her to continue along the glide path and at the first opportunity give him vectors?

I never use “discontinue approach”. (Too easily misunderstood - was that “continue”, “just continue” or “discontinue”? I’ve heard it misunderstood on both sides of the mic.

If aircraft is in level flight I’d say “maintain altitude [x] thousand feet, continue present heading, this will be a missed approach.”
If aircraft is in descent but has not yet reached the missed approach altitude I’d say “stop descent at [x] thousand feet, continue present heading, this will be a missed approach.”

(Then coordinate with radar.)

Thank you for the replies. That resolves not only what we are to expect in real life but also a thing during a simulator session
In a simulator scenario in which we were to handle a situation of a “discontinued approach” , the instructor commanded a “go around” .. it lead to some confusion as we were expecting to be passed a different command . The instructor said that this is the command that ATC would have used in any case . A command that can lead to a confusion of this magnitude should not be used as a standard , hence I was sure ( as you have indicated) that this is not the command .

Suspect you were working a situation at ARN?

The way I brief it in real life and in the sim is that in the event of being given any instruction that would mean we discontinue the approach without any other instructions we will continue down the approach configured until 1500ft and then proceed with the miss approach procedure cleaning up when we level off.

My logic is that we at protected and separated on the ILS and we are not going to conflict with traffic following the miss approach procedure at the defined level. Or if we are going to we are going to be given instructions anyway.

Quite what an Arlanda controller would use RT wise nobody TRE wise seems to have a clue. And after quizzing a Swedish pilot with a partner in ATC but not ARN they seemed to think you would either be told "approach clearance cancelled stop decent x000ft heading xyz" or they would wait until you were below 1500ft and then give a standard go-around instruction.

I remember at EGCC a few years ago RW23R, which was the arrival runway, suddenly became unavailable for a reason I don't remember. What I do remember is the Radar Director advising his traffic to 'expect to go around at not below altitude 3000 feet', or words to that effect. It was quite interesting to watch a short sequence of inbounds fly by before receiving vectors for another attempt. They all made it second time.

It was summer and there were thunderstorms about so perhaps an unexpected surface inspection was needed after a downpour.

FAA: CANCEL APPROACH CLEARANCE (additional instructions as necessary)

Let's say you're currently on the GP passing 3100 ft descending, the published missed approach altitude is 2000 ft.

I would say "Cancel approach clearance, maintain/descent to /climb to (level), continue present heading/turn left/turn right heading...

You always give them a flyable instruction.

I remember asking this question while doing my Approach training, and I was surprised that the answer wasn't at all straightforward.
Depending on things like terrain and flight conditions (IMC/VMC), I'll use something like "Cancel approach, continue tracking via the [ILS/RNP/extended centreline], climb to [whatever level]."
I'll usually add a brief reason for the cancellation, if I have time - I find it reduces the 'startle' confused sort of response,at a time when I really need the aeroplane to just start climbing.

the only correct course of action on side of ATCO is: XXX go arround, I say again, go arround. Go arround is just final phase of any approach and it is to be followed when previous approach can't be followed for whatever reason.

Go arround? I've actually heard it given in something other than a Scots accent....

Och aye, tha nooo! ;)

You are correct (according to ICAO phraseology) if the controller in question is the aerodrome controller. If it's an approach controller, you are not correct.