Buckerfan wrote:
What would you recommend as to the best way to ask ATC for further vectors to be properly stabilized and prepared before intercepting the localizer?
Don’t be ashamed and don’t dread on mistakes. Planes move on fast and pilots can’t allow themselves to stay behind them.
1) Be more assertive with atc early on. If you think you’re too high, you are. Correct trends and call your descents from them as you need them. If atc is unable, insist on a solution. Eg offer to accept delay vectors. Ask for a 20 mile final etc..
2) Set yourself to comply with stabilized approach criteria. 1000ft AGL in IMC is industry standard. Compliance will be „difficult“ since you are the only one who will verify if you comply, in other words it’s up to you. If for any reason you are not stable (laterally, vertically, on speed, configuration and final checklist completed) you go around. Again: you go around!
3) Brief not only the route but also the missed approach drill everytime. „If I call „Go around“ I will set power, raise flaps __, check positive rate – gear up etc..“. Fly the approach with the mindset that you will go around for sure (ie the go around is the normal procedure) and landing will be the optional action that will coincidentally take place.
A correctly executed Go Around is the safest way to exit any unclear situation on approach.
All nicely meant suggestions. Turning them into practice is another thing: Single Pilot IFR in IMC is challenging. There simply might be so much going on that one doesn’t realize what’s happening or overlooks a thing or two. It’s human nature. A solution could be to define personal minima and stick to them. And if wx is below these, take a pro pilot along to handle radios, nav and a second set of eyes raising concerns as they evolve.
