Stabilized Approaches – Survival brings us back to basics
A review of Fatal Accident, Loss of Control data for the past 14 years has shown that Maneuvering followed by Approach are the top critical phase of flight killers.
The air carrier industry has embraced stabilized approach concepts as a means to ensure safe operations during critical phases of flight. Airline flight crews are trained and tested on establishing and maintaining stabilized approaches and to immediately initiate a go around if stabilized approach criteria are not met. This has led to a dramatic decrease in approach and landing mishaps. General aviation pilots can also increase the safety of their approach and landing operations by adhering to stabilized approach criteria.
As an Airman:
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Practice maintaining a stabilized approach to the runway
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Always plan for the missed approach or go-around maneuver.
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Manage distractions – MAINTAIN A STERILE COCKPIT
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Establish personal minimums and set personal standards higher than those in the PTS.
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Train Often, train for the not so normal, be ready for anything.
Flight Instructors:
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Teach and enforce personal criteria for a stabilized approach
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Emphasize the effects of wind on traffic pattern operations during flight review and transition training – training providers include in training, pilots ask for review in training
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Utilize Scenario Based Plans of Action every time you work with an airman
Know your Aircraft, Practice and develop your Airmanship skills:
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Depending on the type of aircraft, size of aircraft and manufacturer’s recommended approach speeds , develop stabilized approach strategies for situations you may normally encounter in your day to day operations.
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Examples: Aircraft configuration shall be configured for landing at some predetermined distance from the airport or altitude.
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Only small corrections to pitch, heading and power setting shall be made after a predetermined distance from the airport or altitude.
Caution: Repetitive actions have the inherent nature of allowing complacency.
No Best Practice or skill set should be without its own checks and balances.
Use your checklist. Train often.
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If not stabilized, a go around shall be initiated.
Please review the informational safety pamphlets and excerpts from the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A) available below to help you understand the stabilized approach concept and proper execution of the go-around when needed.
On Landings - Part I
On Landings - Part II
On Landings - Part III
Airplane Flying Handbook - Stabilized Approach Concept
Airplane Flying Handbook - Go-Arounds
These pamphlets, along with other important aviation safety information and training courses, may be found on the FAA Safety Team website -
FAASafety.gov
Notice Contact Information:
Jay Flowers - Fargo and Minneapolis FSDO FAASTeam Program Manager
jay.m.flowers@faa.gov
(701)492-5809
