Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80; Flight Crew Total 530; Flight Crew Type 455
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Human Factors; Weather
I was flying the RNAV (GPS) 34 straight in approach into FHR. The airport wall veiled in smoke/haze. The approach went well and I had visual contact with the airport 2 miles out. As I approached the runway; I was a little high and floated; so I decided to go-around. It was a mental slip. As I was flying downwind; I realized that I messed up; but I had visual contact with the airport and at that point thought it was safer to continue the pattern. I turned to base and then as I turned to final; I turned late. I decided then that I would just over fly the airport and fly the published missed. I contacted Whitney Approach for instructions to get back on the approach. Approach rightfully rebuked me for the go-around and then gave me instructions to return me to the approach. I flew the approach and landed without incident. Key learning from this event:1. If you cannot land for any reason; you must fly the published missed; regardless of prevailing conditions; unless you have cancelled IFR with ATC or until ATC has given other instructions.2. As time permits; scan the missed procedure on final to aid in preparation.3. Increase the time spent briefing the missed procedure when briefing the approach.
GA pilot reported having to go-around after being high on the final approach to FHR airport. Reporter stated a missed approach should have been executed rather than a go-around.