Pilot's tip of the week

Missed Approaches

Featuring Doug Stewart

Subscriber question:

"Regarding instrument approaches, do you re-try an approach after going missed, assuming weather is at or above minimums and fuel isn't an issue. How many times? Would this change with precision vs. non-precision approaches?"
- Jerry T.

Doug:

missed-app-takeoff-min.jpg“Whether it’s precision or non-precision for me personally, if I have to go missed once, I’ll go back. I’ll try it one more time. But my personal minimum is if I have to miss the second time, I’m out of there.

I’m not going to go back, because we just set up that scenario…

..well, we’ll just do a little duck under here.

..we’ll take it 50 feet lower this time.

..I know they’ve got obstacle clearances built into this approach, so what’s another 50 feet?

..this is my backyard. I know all the mountains around here.

So you have to establish minimums for yourself and again you have to be ready to say – oops, this just went below my minimums, it’s a no-go. I’m outta here!”

(NEW) VFR Mastery scenario #97 “Keeping Your Cool at Hot Springs” is now available. Two years ago, you bought a 172M with a 180 HP conversion a bit past TBO. After 100 hours you decided to overhaul, and added an engine monitor. That revealed consistently high CHTs, often hitting 430°F in the climb. Today you’re at Hot Springs, SD, with the family. It’s 85°F with density altitude near 6000′. You know that if you lean for best power the engine will get super hot. Maybe that’s fine for a short time. Or maybe keeping things cool matters more, and a full rich takeoff is safer as long as performance is adequate. Or is there a middle ground? If you wait for cooler weather, it’ll be awhile. Watch the Intro video.

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