Air Facts

APRIL 14, 2025

An historical antecedent is the concept of the unstable approach. This idea came from the airline industry, perhaps in the 1990s, with the well-intentioned goal of reducing airliner accidents. In light airplanes, thermals and downdrafts displace the airplane significantly from the desired final approach path.

Final Approach 52

Final Approach General Aviation Approach Wind Shear 52

Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

And lets face it, the key to that flawless approach is often a well-planned descent. In the airline world, descent planning and execution receives a lot of attention. The approach review should include an altitude target for pattern entry or joining the final approach so we can compute the best descent.

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Descent Approach Final Approach Turbulence 56

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

A go-around is a maneuver performed to abort or reject a landing on the final approach or once the aircraft has already touched down. Weather Go-arounds due to weather occur due to wind shear caused by gusting winds or microbursts. When an aircraft encounters horizontal wind shear, it could be blown off centerline.

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Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52

Ask Captain Lim

APRIL 12, 2024

Similarly, about a week later, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 captain was also incapacitated, requiring assistance from another pilot to land the aircraft safely in Las Vegas. During final approach at Orly Airport, the crew received a wind-shear warning, prompting them to go around and discontinue with the landing.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Pilot Final Approach Approach 52