STABILISATION AND THE DECISION TO CONTINUE
Assess runway and path, landing configuration, speed, thrust and completion of checks together. An acceptable indication in one area does not compensate for a developing problem in another. Continue to monitor the whole approach state as conditions change near the runway. [13, PDF pp. 149-158]
For this exercise, use a conservative gate of stable by 1,000 feet above the aerodrome and maintained thereafter. That is the stated exercise criterion. The cited procedures distinguish operating conditions and company requirements; use the applicable installed procedure when practising a different operation. The gate should produce an early, clear continue-or-go-around decision.
Go around when the required approach conditions cannot be met or maintained. Include a planned go-around in practice so that it remains an available flight-path choice rather than an exceptional outcome. A decision made at the briefed gate is considerably easier to act on than one postponed while hoping the approach will repair itself. [13, PDF pp. 197-200]
PAPI as seen on approach: four lamps, with white at left and red at right. Two white/two red indicates the visual path; use the published approach geometry. [13, PDF p. 185]
IN PRACTICE: Make the stability check a decision, not a recital
Before you begin: The approach has reached the applicable stabilisation gate from the operating procedure. The aircraft is expected to be fully configured and ready to land.
1. Check where the aircraft is going
Action. Compare the runway alignment, lateral deviation and vertical path with the intended approach. Look for a path that can be maintained with normal, small corrections.
Check. The aircraft is established on a usable landing path rather than converging late from a large deviation. [13, PDF pp. 149-158] [13, PDF pp. 197-200]
2. Check the speed trend, not just the instantaneous value
Action. Compare indicated speed with the required target and watch the trend. Include thrust response and the effect of wind changes.
Check. Speed is controlled and the aircraft is not arriving at the target while still rapidly accelerating or decelerating. [13, PDF pp. 149-158]
3. Check that the landing configuration is complete
Action. Confirm the gear, actual flap/slat configuration, spoilers and required landing checks.
Check. The aircraft is ready to touch down without a major configuration task still pending. [13, PDF pp. 149-158] [14, PDF pp. 1091-1110]
4. Check the energy and workload together
Action. Assess descent rate, thrust, required corrections and the work still unfinished. Confirm that the approach can continue without a rushed attempt to rescue it.
Check. The flight path, energy and remaining workload support a normal landing. [13, PDF pp. 149-158] [13, PDF pp. 197-200]
5. Act on the result
Action. If the approach meets the applicable stable criteria, continue monitoring. If it does not, initiate the normal go-around; at the minimum, also apply the required visual-reference decision.
Check. The stability check has led to the appropriate flight-path decision instead of becoming another item that was merely spoken. [13, PDF pp. 197-200] [13, PDF pp. 149-158]
Complete when: Continue only while the applicable stability and visual-reference conditions are met. A go-around is already the prepared alternative.