No Go Around For You!

[GlenWimpy]

Treat and talk to the controllers like you would a girl friend on a first date.

I have over 1000 hours in the right seat as a CFII. Most of that flying is holding over the Memphis VOR above the airport and doing multiple approaches at MEM. The controllers tend to remember your voice and your N numbers. Some of my CFI buddies were never able to hold at MEM or do approaches when they get a little busy. Because I talked to them them nicely , was very accommodating , was flexible , said thank you , yes sir , etc. I was able to more approaches.

I've often been given a route around class B , after asking nicely if I could get a better route through , 99% of the time they allowed my through because i asked nicely and respectfully.

Getting a "pilot ego" with the controllers will get you sent to the " penalty box" or told not to enter class B airspace.

 

[TFaudree_ERAU]

It has always been my understanding that if you are simply in the pattern for landing practice, you will be "cleared to land" or "cleared for the option". If it is the former, you should only go around under the most extreme circumstances, not simply because of "pilots discretion". An obstructed runway or botched landing would constitute an extreme circumstance. In that case, it would be obvious to the tower as to why you went around. If you just do it on your own, he is, in my opinion, entitled to ask why.

Controllers, just as much as pilots, hate curveballs. You threw him one.

 

[TripSix]

I was with a multi student the other day and he elected to go around. Tower comes on "state reason for go around". I think to myself, "hmm, never been asked this before", anyways respond to the tower with "pilot discretion" I wanted to say because of a "bad burrito" but I resisted.

Next thing I know the tower controller is all sorts of pissed off. Tower "Why are you going around?! I sequenced my traffic thinking you were full stop!!".

To this I respond "Sorry, doesn't matter why were going around, its our discretion. Sorry about the sequence, but not our concern when safety of flight is involved."

Very strange. Controllers have anything to chime in here?

If a pilot executes an unplanned go around my first priority is to determine if the pilot (and aircraft) is okay. It's an unanticipated pilot action. Is there something wrong with your airplane? Is there something wrong with you? Did you catch some wind? Did you see something on the runway? Did you lose the runway in the sun in the turn? Do you need a crash truck? Tell me what is wrong so I can help you fix it and warn the other pilots of an abnormality if applicable...that is what I am asking when I say "say reason for go around."

If I had an aircraft do an unplanned go around and asked "state reason for go-around," only to have it responded to with a "pilot discretion," I'd be a bit miffed too...because it gives me zero information regarding you (and if you need anything) and zero information to pass on to the guy/girl behind you that is attempting to land as well. Sometimes our "miff" manifests itself in strange ways.

That is exactly why I use the phrase "do you require any assistance" in response to an unplanned go-around instead. It tells me if YOU need help, and it also tells the pilot's behind you if there is something THEY need to take into consideration. I've always gotten a response that will let me know if there is a problem or not. I don't know the reason for it, but it works a lot better. Same question stated a different way - but perhaps it relays that I'm not trying to bust your chops, I'm trying to make sure you're alright.

By the way, the "bad burrito" response would've been quite hysterical. =)

 

[Juliet Lima]

you absolutely did NOTHING wrong. maybe he misjudged his "intersecting" runway separation, assuming you would be a full stop.

btw, intersecting runway (or non-intersecting but flight paths will intersect) separation has been a hot item within the FAA. maybe he was aware of the new emphasis on this and was worried he busted some newfound separation that was not the standard the day before.

what is the runway config at your airport? was it intersecting?

 

[///AMG]

Getting a "pilot ego" with the controllers will get you sent to the " penalty box" or told not to enter class B airspace.

Yep, we had a crew recently up near Dulles have just such an encounter. Basically ended "training" and the only exit from the penalty box was declaring minimum fuel (comes pretty quick for us anywhere below 20k ft). Not advisable

 

[PilotBeckfizzle]

you absolutely did NOTHING wrong. maybe he misjudged his "intersecting" runway separation, assuming you would be a full stop.

btw, intersecting runway (or non-intersecting but flight paths will intersect) separation has been a hot item within the FAA. maybe he was aware of the new emphasis on this and was worried he busted some newfound separation that was not the standard the day before.

what is the runway config at your airport? was it intersecting?

Parallel runways.

 

[flyboywbl]

I was with a multi student the other day and he elected to go around. Tower comes on "state reason for go around". I think to myself, "hmm, never been asked this before", anyways respond to the tower with "pilot discretion" I wanted to say because of a "bad burrito" but I resisted.

Next thing I know the tower controller is all sorts of pissed off. Tower "Why are you going around?! I sequenced my traffic thinking you were full stop!!".

To this I respond "Sorry, doesn't matter why were going around, its our discretion. Sorry about the sequence, but not our concern when safety of flight is involved."

Very strange. Controllers have anything to chime in here?

I've had this happen to me many times. The tower usually wants to know why and usually in a rude way. i've had "whats wrong with the extra 7000 feet of runway"
I'm not going to have a pre solo student trying to save a botched landing. if they screw up, they go around and try again.

When i signed of my student to solo last week I just had him request the option each pass so if he did go around, it would just be a low approach or a touch n go incase he actually touched down.

Our tower guys get cranky some times. I wish they would not because it freaks the student out. I just have to tell them, "You are the pilot in command. You don't have to do anything the tower tells you if it would endanger your flight, or if you are uncomfortable with it."