Final approach (aviation)

With Final Approach (English: Final approach), the last part of the landing approach is referred to in aviation.

It begins when the aircraft Endanflugsektor ( final approach area) on the interface of the final glide and Endanflugfläche (English final approach level ) decision height is. In the final approach, the pilot increases the damper position (English flaps ) and takes over this trip ( engl. speed) back. The copilot (English pilot monitoring, older: pilot not flying ) goes with the pilot (English pilot flying ) the last time the landing checklists, and gets in the guarded airfields for landing ( landing clearance ). He gets notified by the approach control the current aviation weather and the final approach course (English final approach track) with assignment of the proposed runway ( runway engl. ) and the graduation.

At uncontrolled aerodromes a traffic pattern is mandatory upstream.

The conclusion of the final approach is usually the landing, alternatively, a missed approach.

Occasionally, however, under adverse weather conditions: be redirected to the destination airport for the plane to an alternate aerodrome black ice, fog, thunderstorms.

• 2.1 aborted approach

The end of the final approach

Final approach when flying under visual flight rules ( VFR)

When VFR pilot flying a traffic pattern. Approach and descent are usually coordinated so that the descent is performed at engine aircraft in a three -degree angle to the horizontal. As a final approach when visual flight part of the traffic pattern is called, which is directly aligned to the runway in direction of landing flown to the landing and subsequent landing. He precedes the base leg.

Final approach when precision instruments approach (ILS approach)

The pilot turned the plane on in the instrument landing system of the destination aerodrome. When ILS is the start of the final segment of the FAP ( Final Approach Point), so the last ILS marker. The segment ( English abbreviation CAT) ends depending on the ILS category according to ICAO code of the airport is greater than / equal to 200 feet ( CAT I), up to 100 feet (CAT II) and 100 feet ( CAT III) above the threshold THR (threshold ) of the runway. The glide for ILS approaches are also required to comply with ICAO between 2.5 ° and 3.5 ° are kept for CAT I and compelling to 3 ° for CAT II / III.

The resulting rate of descent depends on the airspeed of the aircraft and may be überschläglich calculated using the following rule of thumb:

VGS ground speed in knots * 5 = rate of descent in feet per minute

The final approach segment ends with the landing approach and landing or aborted the landing approach ( missed approach ) when the pilot at decision height, the runway can not detect.

Final approach of aircraft to military airfields

A plane is taken over by the precision approach radar by an air traffic controller and verbally to the decision height ( 200ft GND - above touchdown zone elevation) out. At this point, the pilot must have the runway in sight to end visually to the approach. If this is not the case, predetermined by the controller, missed approach ( missed approach procedure ) is an initiate.

Risks on the final approach

Sudden turbulence on the approach sector are at an in- flight aircraft able to bring this to an unstable approach and rudely to press on the runway, which can lead to people in extreme cases, damage to the aircraft and to the damage. At higher altitude, often lying in an open area airfields the risk of any unexpected gusts or wind shear is detected to be, which is also a threat to the landing.

Aborted approach

• Compelling reasons for termination: inadequate visibility at decision height, 'Continued recognized wind shear, unstable approach, blocked runway, through traffic, snow or ice;
• Already in the air reported freezing rain or thunderstorm over the destination airport aerodrome.
• Possible consequences of a broken approach (delay, dodge to the alternate aerodrome uncertainty of passengers, higher demands on the pilot / pilots etc., higher fuel consumption )

Final approach in the sport of soaring

In gliding, and in particular Streckensegelflug, the term final approach has yet another meaning. As a final approach here the last straight -looking glider is called without any further thermal before reaching the traffic pattern of the destination aerodrome. For him it is important to consume the previously reached altitude performance optimal. This is based on the polar curve or the glide of each glider. When gliding the last curve to be completed in a minimum height of 100 meters above the current field elevation. The final approach is begun with a safety reserve (height and speed).

For competition flyer, it is important to calculate exactly or can be calculated from a flight computer, from what height it can reach the destination. When a sufficient amount achieved can be omitted time-consuming loops in the ascendant. Thus, the average speed and the chances of winning increase.