How should you respond if you observe conflicting traffic on final approach?

How should you respond if you observe conflicting traffic on final approach?

• A. Continue approach
• B. Circle overhead and proceed
• C. Land as soon as possible
• D. Initiate a go-around or adjust path to ensure safe separation

Answer: (D)

When you see conflicting traffic on final approach, your top priority is safe separation from that traffic. The reliable way to achieve that is to break off the landing and either go around or adjust your flight path to create clear separation before rejoining the approach. Continuing the approach or landing as soon as possible does not guarantee that separation and increases the risk of a collision. Circling overhead and proceeding may still leave you on a collision course if the other aircraft isn’t cleared, whereas a go-around instantly removes you from the conflicting path and lets you re-sequence under safe conditions. If needed, you can also have ATC vector you to a new approach path to reestablish proper separation, then resume the approach once it’s safe.

When you see conflicting traffic on final approach, your top priority is safe separation from that traffic. The reliable way to achieve that is to break off the landing and either go around or adjust your flight path to create clear separation before rejoining the approach. Continuing the approach or landing as soon as possible does not guarantee that separation and increases the risk of a collision. Circling overhead and proceeding may still leave you on a collision course if the other aircraft isn’t cleared, whereas a go-around instantly removes you from the conflicting path and lets you re-sequence under safe conditions. If needed, you can also have ATC vector you to a new approach path to reestablish proper separation, then resume the approach once it’s safe.