#StormErik has caused a few go arounds at #Heathrow today and the videos will undoubtedly produce some headlines that don’t actually reflect the reality for the professional crews or the measured & methodical way they make a decision to go around. Follow me on our approach >>

Most approaches start an long way from the airfield. The pilots will get the weather and assess the likely “threats”. In the case of wind they will verbalise & practice manoeuvres such as a go around as well as setting acceptable & safe parameters for the day #StormErik #Aviation

During extremes of weather it’s likely the Captain will plan to land the aircraft, to utilise their experience & exposure to these events. This increases the likelihood of landing but is never a guarantee. The team will always work to their parameters set in the brief #StormErik

On the approach all airlines employ something called stabilised approach criteria. These are mandated parameters, aircraft or airline specific, which must be attained by 1000ft and maintained to touchdown. This will be the reason for most go arounds today..destabilised approaches

Did you know that the pilots can execute a go around even after landing? This is an entirely safe & practiced manoeuvre. There is no point in continuing to land if you haven’t touched down in the correct place. To do so would be unwise and it’s safer to go around. #StormErik

Often the reporting of go arounds is seen as a failure in some way of the pilots skills. In fact, the opposite is correct. A go around shows that prudent decisions were made to ensure the safety of the aircraft, customers, and crew by professionals doing there job. #StormErik