Which action is an example of a spacing technique commonly used on final?

• A. have an aircraft make a left/right three-sixty
• B. have an aircraft hold altitude and wait
• C. have an aircraft descend and maintain speed
• D. have an aircraft extend upwind

Answer: (A)

Spacing on final is achieved by turning around the final approach course in a 360-degree maneuver to create distance between aircraft without losing the intended approach path. Doing a one-full-turn circuit lets a following aircraft gain time and space as the lead continues toward the runway, while you re-intercept the final approach with a safe gap. This technique is favored because it preserves the stability of the approach and avoids abrupt changes in altitude or speed.

Holding altitude and waiting isn’t specifically a spacing maneuver on final and can disrupt the approach flow. Descending and maintaining speed can alter your approach profile and may reduce or unpredictably change spacing. Extending upwind is a pattern maneuver used earlier in the workup and is not a standard spacing technique on final.