747-400 Go Around Thrust!

FROM THE FLIGHT DECK:

Years ago, I was in the flight training portion of my check out on the Boeing 747-400 and we landing after a long flight from Tokyo, with 300 plus passengers.

I was flying from the right seat, my check airman was the pilot monitoring, and the augmented crew sat behind us—Four pilots working together to bring the aircraft safely to a landing. I was the new pilot, my captain and the captain in the jumpseat were both check airmen.

The tower departed aircraft in front of us, as we approached on final. As they rolled another plane onto the runway, I asked the guys, “Do you think we’re a little close?” My experienced instructors assured me that we were good. And they were right. We continued. Then ATC taxied yet another aircraft onto the runway. I said, “I don’t think…” and then ATC broke in and told us “... Go-Around.”

“Go around thrust, flaps fifteen, positive rate… gear up, heading select!” I moved the power forward and pressed the TOGA (Takeoff Go-Around power) button. We climbed, flew downwind for another landing and burned about 10,000 lbs of extra fuel. After touchdown ATC changed the runway direction due to the strong tailwind we experienced on both approaches.

Thankfully this type of experience in the flight deck is a non-event, because we are trained to follow procedures.

The question of “what does it feel like” was interesting. I had not thought about anything other than performing the task at hand. After the event, both captains told me they had never performed a missed approach in the actual aircraft before, in their combined 50 years of experience.

This is not a common occurrence in the big planes, but pilots practice numerous missed approach scenarios in their annual training events to make sure that they're prepared.

Pilot Technique:

Every approach I mentally prepare for the possibility of and talk through the missed-approach as part of my briefing. Not only where we'll navigate to and the altitude, but the procedure and sequence of power, gear, flaps, etc. I'm rehearsed and prepared in the unlikely event.

Do you have a technique that prepares you for the unexpected?

Enjoy the Journey!

~ Karlene