A view from the pilot’s seat

Re “Runway Russian roulette,” Opinion, Jan. 4

What Assemblyman Ted W. Lieu describes as such a harrowing experience was in reality a fairly benign, standard procedure for an airline flight crew. It’s called a go-around.

Go-arounds are necessitated by many factors. Sometimes it’s an equipment problem, and other times it might be that the crew is simply uncomfortable with its approach to the runway. Occasionally, they occur because the preceding aircraft doesn’t clear the runway fast enough to maintain safe separation.

My guess is that’s what occurred in Lieu’s experience. It’s a standard maneuver that is taught to literally all pilots early in their training. I’ve been flying in and out of Los Angeles International Airport for 29 years. There are many reasons for the runway incursion problems that we definitely have. The Federal Aviation Administration and airlines are aggressively trying to educate pilots and air traffic controllers regarding incursions.

Lieu thinks that increasing operational separation to five minutes is the answer. He needs to educate himself. Increased separation at any major airport has far-reaching ramifications across the country and the world. If Lieu is so concerned about incursions, he should support the proposed changes to LAX’s north runways. It might also help to convince the FAA that it needs more controllers.

Frank Svensson

Alta Loma