Stalls and missed approaches
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Stalls and missed approaches
I just completed c. 45 hrs flying in Asia during the holidays and have a couple of questions regarding aircraft behaviors that occurred in several flights.
On climb-out on an Airbus flight from Narita to Incheon, the jet at one point unexpectedly dropped abruptly before resuming the climb - this didn't seem like regular turbulence but almost a stall. Is this common/normal?
Also, 747-400 missed approach into Newark but landed successfully on second attempt. Again, is this a fairly common event? I've been flying regularly since the 1980s but haven't experienced it before.
Thanks to anyone who can help with either question...
mroberts
On climb-out on an Airbus flight from Narita to Incheon, the jet at one point unexpectedly dropped abruptly before resuming the climb - this didn't seem like regular turbulence but almost a stall. Is this common/normal?
Also, 747-400 missed approach into Newark but landed successfully on second attempt. Again, is this a fairly common event? I've been flying regularly since the 1980s but haven't experienced it before.
Thanks to anyone who can help with either question...
mroberts
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1. Sounds like a mountainous area, so could be from windshear generated from the hills. Windshear is a rapid change in the speed/direction of the wind. The aircraft relies on airflow over the wings, so if it suddenly experiences a change in the wind, it can be like losing 30mph of forward speed, so losing lift, it can lose altitude. In severe cases, it can lead to a full stall, which is why we try to avoid it.
Coversely, it could gain the speed/altitude.
Aircraft weather radars can predict most windshear, and using these, coupled with good weather forecasts and our experience, we aim to steer clear.
2. An aircraft can "Miss the approach" for a number of reasons:
a. No landing clearance
b. Not seeing runway
c. Vehicle on runway
d. Windshear or crosswind
A multitude of other reasons.
Coversely, it could gain the speed/altitude.
Aircraft weather radars can predict most windshear, and using these, coupled with good weather forecasts and our experience, we aim to steer clear.
2. An aircraft can "Miss the approach" for a number of reasons:
a. No landing clearance
b. Not seeing runway
c. Vehicle on runway
d. Windshear or crosswind
A multitude of other reasons.
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mroberts
As a frequent passenger on airlines since 1978 and a private pilot, maybe I can add a little to the explanations already posted by PT Gamekeeper.
Stalling an airliner is a very serious matter and it is highly unlikely that you experienced that.
The air being fluid and all that means you will experience some bumps and bangs if you fly enough and they generally feel worse than they are, due to the inner ear being designed for terrestial use
Go arounds are quite normal (typically happen several times a day at very busy airports) and often happen because (a) air traffic are not happy with the horizontal distance between two aircraft ... this is not because it is dangerous, but rather to maintain safe separation or (b) because the aircraft is not stabilised in landing configuration at a key reference altitude. PT G also quotes some other examples.
Although somewhat disconcerting when you encounter it for the first time, it's nothing to be alarmed about and the crew will be appplying the principle of "aviate, navigate and communicate", so they may not be able to make an announcement to let you know what happened quickly, as their workload in going around and then setting up for a new approach will be high.
As a frequent passenger on airlines since 1978 and a private pilot, maybe I can add a little to the explanations already posted by PT Gamekeeper.
Stalling an airliner is a very serious matter and it is highly unlikely that you experienced that.
The air being fluid and all that means you will experience some bumps and bangs if you fly enough and they generally feel worse than they are, due to the inner ear being designed for terrestial use
Go arounds are quite normal (typically happen several times a day at very busy airports) and often happen because (a) air traffic are not happy with the horizontal distance between two aircraft ... this is not because it is dangerous, but rather to maintain safe separation or (b) because the aircraft is not stabilised in landing configuration at a key reference altitude. PT G also quotes some other examples.
Although somewhat disconcerting when you encounter it for the first time, it's nothing to be alarmed about and the crew will be appplying the principle of "aviate, navigate and communicate", so they may not be able to make an announcement to let you know what happened quickly, as their workload in going around and then setting up for a new approach will be high.
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Not sure how an airbus works but in the aircraft I fly we quite often use IAS mode to hold an airspeed. If there are gusty winds it can be quite uncomfortable as the autopilot will chase the airspeed meaning lots of pitching up and down to try and maintain the required IAS. Could be why you felt a sharp pitch down.
