Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 4212; Flight Crew Type 1700
Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
We were cleared to intercept the final approach localizer to Runway 30L into STL. We were about 6 miles from the runway set; cleared for the visual; when Tower cancelled our landing clearance; to give way to a formation flight of F-18s. He let them come in first from a right downwind and right base to 30L in front of us. Tower asked if we would instead land on Runway 29. Because it was so late in the approach; we told tower 'Can't comply'. Tower then asked if we would make a 90 degree right turn; to start an S-turn; to give way to the F-18s. We did; then tower asked us to maintain visual with the F-18s; and cleared us to land behind them. We performed the S-turns; while trying to maintain visual separation with the fighters; but in doing so; we got disoriented; and ended up lining ourselves up with Runway 30R instead. In addition; Runway 30R; although it was closed; did not have an 'X' on it; which added to the confusion. Tower saw that we were on short final for Runway 30R and told us to execute a go around; which we did. We then came back around; and had departure vector us to the ILS Runway 30L. I believe that this could've been avoided; if we simply would've just said 'Can't comply' with both of Tower's requests. If this were to happen again; in the future; that would be my solution; in addition to checking our instruments; in order to make sure we're tracking the correct NAVAIDs.
HS-125 Captain reported becoming disoriented and lining up for the wrong runway at STL.