General Flight Regulation Policies

Question 1

What are the Company speed restrictions?

Answer 1

An aircraft speed shall not exceed 250 KIAS below 10000ft AGL or minimum clean speed, whichever is greater, unless a specific speed has been assigned by ATC, in which case the speed shall not be greater than 250 KIAS below 5000ft AGL or minimum clean speed, whichever is greater.

Question 2

What are the maximum allowable bank angles?

Answer 2

• 10 degrees below 300ft AGL
• 15 degrees at/above 300ft AGL
• 30 degrees at/above 500ft AGL

Question 3

What are the maximum permissible rates of climb/descent?

Answer 3

During climb or descent the maximum vertical speed when within 5nm and +/- 2000 of traffic shall be

• 2000 ft/min when within 2000 feet of the cleared flight level/altitude
• 1500 ft/min when within 1000 feet of the cleared flight level/altitude

At no time must rates of descent exceed the following values:

• 5000 ft./min. down to an altitude 5000 ft. AGL
• 4000 ft./min. down to an altitude 4000 ft. AGL
• 3000 ft./min. down to an altitude 3000 ft. AGL
• 2000 ft./min. down to an altitude 2000 ft. AGL
• 1500 ft./min. down to an altitude 1000 ft. AGL
• 1200ft/min below 1000ft AGL for Cat D aircraft
• 1000 ft/min below 1000 ft AGL for Cat C aircraft

Note: Adherence to published approach profiles may require, in exceptional cases, (such as steep published glideslope or high gross weights), higher rates of descent than specified above. These cases must be specifically briefed during the approach preparations.

Question 4

What is the Company stabilization approach criteria?

Answer 4

The following parameters must be met and maintained during final approach:
1. The aircraft is on the correct path
2. Pitch is within +10 and -0 (Airbus) and +8 and –3 (Boeing)
3. Bank is not more than 7°
4. Speed is within target speed + 10 knots and VREF/VLS, excluding minor deviations due to gusty conditions on final approach
5. The aircraft is in the correct and briefed landing configuration
6. Sink rate is not more than:
- 1000 feet per minute for CAT C aircraft, or
- 1200 feet per minute for CAT D aircraft
If a higher rate of descent is required by aircraft configuration, approach procedure or other specific conditions, it shall be briefed during approach preparations.
7. Power setting is appropriate for the aircraft configuration. Significant changes are only allowed for gust compensation. Brief reductions to idle power are acceptable as long as all other stabilization criteria are met
8. All briefings and checklists have been completed
9. ILS approaches shall be flown within one dot of glide slope and localizer. During Non-Precision approaches the course deviation must stay within ½ dot or 2.5 degrees for VOR approaches and 5 degrees (ADF) for NDB approaches.

Question 5

What is the latest point at which the stabilization approach criteria must be met during precision and non-precision approaches?

Answer 5

• The stabilization approach criteria should be attained by 1500ft RA (Recommended Altitude).
• 1000ft RA is the latest point where the aircraft shall be in full landing configuration and the stabilized approach criteria met.
• A Go Around must be executed if the Stabilized Approach Criteria are not met at 1000ft RA.
• Only as a consequence of particular speed instructions by ATC, a deviation from the stabilized speed criteria including the associated thrust setting (points 4 and 7) is permitted below 1000ft RA down to 500ft Straight-in instrument approaches which are cleared to be concluded visually must meet the Stabilized Approach Criteria at 1000ft RA and adhere to the Stabilized Approach Criteria as described for standard Precision and Non Precision Approaches.RA. In this case, the stabilized speed criteria and the associated thrust setting must be reached by 500ft RA at the latest.

Question 6

What is the latest point at which the stabilization approach criteria must be met during a straight-in instrument approach which is cleared to be concluded visually?

Answer 6

Straight-in instrument approaches which are cleared to be concluded visually must meet the Stabilized Approach Criteria at 1000ft RA and adhere to the Stabilized Approach Criteria as described for standard Precision and Non Precision Approaches.

Question 7

What is the latest point at which the stabilization approach criteria must be met during circling approaches and visual circuits?

Answer 7

500ft AAL

Question 8

What is Etihad’s policy regarding orbits on final approach?

Answer 8

Orbit on the approach segment, below 2000ft AGL, is prohibited for any purpose, including losing of height, speed or increasing the track miles, even when requested by ATC.

Question 9

What is Etihad’s policy regarding landing within the touchdown zone?

Answer 9

• The desired touchdown zone lies between 300 to 600m from the landing threshold.
• If touchdown cannot be accomplished within the desired touchdown zone, a missed approach should normally be initiated with due regard to the remaining runway length
• Spool up of engines, aircraft speed and pitch attitude must be considered carefully

Question 10

What is Etihad’s policy regarding the decision to execute a go-around?

Answer 10

A decision to initiate a ‘Go-around’ rests with the Commander as long as the aircraft is higher than 1000ft AAL.

Question 11

What is Etihad’s policy regarding who can call for a go-around below 1000ft AAL?

Answer 11

Below 1000ft AAL, a ‘Go-around’ shall be executed as soon as any active crew member calls out “GO-AROUND”, regardless of who is PF/PM.