CASA media release - Tuesday 7 October 2008
Passengers learn about aborted landings
Aircraft passengers can now learn more about the often misunderstood procedure used by pilots when a planned landing is aborted.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has published a new web page answering common questions about 'go-arounds'.
There are more than 800 go-arounds performed by large and small aircraft in Australia each year.
The procedure is safe and routine, although it can surprise passengers as the aircraft puts on power and gains altitude to discontinue a landing.
A go-around will usually mean a delay in landing of 10 to 15 minutes as the aircraft is repositioned for another approach to land.
Go-arounds are performed because pilots are not entirely satisfied that all requirements for a safe landing have been met.
Factors leading to a go-around can be weather related such as visibility, wind and turbulence.
Other reasons for a go-around are potential conflict with other traffic, vehicles or animals on a runway or unsatisfactory aircraft performance or configuration. Aircraft performance or configuration factors include speed, height above ground, rate of descent and the angle or bank of the aircraft.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Michelle Harris says go-arounds are an essential safety procedure.
"Some passengers can be concerned about go-arounds as they are a departure from the normal flight pattern," Ms Harris says.
"However, go-arounds are in fact a safe operation designed to make sure everything is right before a landing is made.
"All pilots are trained in go-arounds from the very start of their flying careers.
"Passengers can now learn all about this safe procedure by simply going to the CASA web site and clicking on the 'Aviation Safety Explained' button."
Visit the new go-around web page: http://www.casa.gov.au/publicinfo/index.htm
Media contact:
Michelle Harris
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR12108