Unstabilised Approach: Vectoring into Short Final Distances

Definition

Radar vectoring which provides a closing heading to establish on final which results ILS LLZ capture at less than 6nm from touchdown.

Effect of Action on Flight Crew and Their Potential Response

Many of the actions to prepare the aircraft for landing cannot be carried out until the aircraft is on final.

High workload arising from a late arrival on final may contribute to a failure to stabilise the approach sufficiently to meet mandatory stabilised approach ‘gates’.

Description

Radar vectoring that provides short final distances contribute to approaches becoming unstabilised. According to many airlines SOPs a flight must be stabilised at 1000 feet above airport elevation in IMC. With 3 degree glide path that means about 3 NM from touchdown.

According to PANS-ATM (ICAO Doc 4444): „When vectoring to intercept the ILS localizer course or MLS final approach track, the final vector shall […] provide at least 2 km (1.0 NM) straight and level flight prior to ILS localizer course intercept. The vector shall also enable the aircraft to be established […] in level flight for at least 3,7 km (2,0 NM) prior to intercepting the ILS glide path […].”

„The final vector shall enable the aircraft to be established in level flight on the final approach track prior to intercepting the specified or nominal glide path if an MLS, ILS or radar approach is to be made.”

It is important to note that autopilots have LOC-capture operating envelops (i.e. intercept angle versus distance to runway) that make short-distance captures more challenging.

An absolute distance of 5 to 6 NM is essential for an approach to become stabilised. But if we add to this any other, adverse, variables (such as excessive altitude or speed) or adverse conditions (like heavy precipitation, tail wind, crosswind, turbulence, reported or predicted windshear etc.) even the 5 to 6 NM final distance may not be sufficient to ensure a stabilized approach.

Typical optimal vectoring results in 6 NM (and 2000ft) from touchdown on final.

ATC Options to Avoid the Action

• Ensure adequate relationship between the altitude and the track-distance to touchdown (typically a 300 ft / nm relationship).
• Use reasonable speed control below FL100 to improve flight path predictability.
• Take proper account of any strong upper winds and their likely effect on track miles / ground speed.
• Vectoring the aircraft to final that is compatible with a reasonable and safe deceleration and configuration sequence (accounting for differences between ILS versus non-ILS approaches)

ATC Options to Manage the Consequences

• Be prepared to recognise that an unstable approach may result from a late arrival on final and be prepared to proactively position the aircraft under radar vectors back onto final at an early stage.
• Do not offer or instruct a visual manoeuvring on final as a solution to problems which may have arisen.
• Be prepared to instruct a go around at any time if spacing or any other operational safety consideration appears to demand this.
• Recognise that a crew which reaches their limiting workload are likely to focus on the priority order ‘aviate, navigate, communicate’.

Stabilised Approach Awareness Toolkit for ATC

Contribution of Unstabilised Approaches to Aircraft Accidents and Incidents Flight Crew Workload in Preparation for the Execution of an Approach Unstabilised Approach: Inappropriate ATC Speed Instructions Unstabilised Approach: Delayed Descent Instructions Unstabilised Approach: Lack of or Wrong Information About Distance to Touchdown Unstabilised Approach: Landing Distance and Final Speed Calculations Unstabilised Approach: Late Runway or Approach Type Change Unstabilised Approach: Vectoring Resulting in Intercepting the Glidepath from Above Unstabilised Approach: Vectoring to Runways with Significant Tailwind Component

fonte: http://www.skybrary.aero