Stable by Design

摘要

When I think back to my last several unstable approaches - I've had a few over the years - there are usually a few reasons behind each. Chances are they resulted from actions by other aircraft, instructions by ATC, sudden weather changes, or conduct internal to my aircraft - in other words, me. While there are things we can do to shape the outcomes of the first three inciting events, they are for the most part outside our control. The last item, however, is within our grasp of control. Or is it?It has almost become an unwritten rule: If you aren't stable by 1,000 ft. when in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), go around. There is much discussion about how to wire in the correct vertical and horizontal parameters, establishing stable approach criteria, combatting pilot continuation bias and normalizing the go-around decision. In fact, I've done just that in these pages ("New Approach to Stabilized Approaches," May 2014).