What Is an Aircraft Go-Around and When Is It Used?
An aircraft go-around is when a pilot decides to abort a landing and climb back to a safe altitude for another approach. It’s a simple but vital maneuver that keeps flights safe when conditions aren’t right for landing.
At Leopard Aviation, we teach this maneuver early on because knowing when and how to go around is a key part of good judgment in the cockpit.
Whether it’s due to runway obstacles, unstable approaches, or weather changes, the aircraft go-around is a pilot’s best tool to avoid accidents and ensure a smooth, safe flight every time.
How a Go-Around Is Performed
Performing an aircraft go-around is a critical skill every pilot must master. At Leopard Aviation, we train our students thoroughly on this maneuver because it’s one of the most important safety procedures during flight operations, especially in the approach and landing phases. The go-around is initiated when the pilot decides that the current approach or landing attempt is unsafe or unstable.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how a go-around is performed:
- Power Application:
The first and most vital action is to smoothly apply full power to the engine(s). This ensures the aircraft gains enough thrust to climb away from the runway safely. - Pitch Adjustment:
After adding power, the pilot gently adjusts the pitch attitude to achieve the best angle for climb. Usually, this means raising the nose slightly to avoid losing altitude, but not so much that it causes a stall. - Flap and Gear Management:
Depending on the aircraft type and situation, the pilot will begin retracting flaps incrementally once a positive rate of climb is established. Landing gear is also retracted as the aircraft gains altitude to reduce drag and improve climb performance. - Communications with Air Traffic Control (ATC):
Once the go-around is initiated, the pilot must immediately inform ATC by announcing the go-around. This helps maintain situational awareness and allows ATC to safely sequence traffic. - Aircraft Configuration:
During the go-around, the pilot carefully manages speed, altitude, and attitude to maintain control and climb safely. The aircraft transitions from a landing configuration back to a climb configuration.
At Leopard Aviation, we emphasize the importance of performing these steps smoothly and confidently. Students practice the go-around in both simulators and real flights, ensuring they are prepared for the moment when a go-around becomes necessary.
Common Scenarios That Require a Go-Around
Knowing when to execute an aircraft go-around is as important as knowing how to perform it. Several situations can lead a pilot to make this decision, all prioritizing safety above all.
- Unstable Approach:
One of the most common reasons for a go-around is an unstable approach. This happens when the aircraft is not properly aligned with the runway, is too high or too low, or is not configured correctly for landing. Instead of risking a dangerous landing, a go-around allows the pilot to reset and try the approach again. - Runway Obstruction:
The presence of other aircraft, vehicles, animals, or debris on the runway can force a go-around. Rather than attempting to land in a compromised situation, pilots choose to abort the landing and circle back for another try. - Weather Conditions:
Sudden changes in weather, such as wind shear, gusts, or rapidly decreasing visibility, can make landing unsafe. Pilots must be ready to initiate a go-around if the conditions deteriorate below safe limits during final approach. - ATC Instructions:
Air traffic control may instruct a pilot to perform a go-around to maintain safe separation between aircraft, especially at busy airports. Pilots must comply promptly to ensure the orderly flow of traffic.
Each of these scenarios tests a pilot’s judgment and ability to act decisively. At Leopard Aviation, we train pilots to recognize these situations early and execute go-arounds without hesitation.
Why Go-Arounds Are a Sign of Good Judgment
Contrary to what some might think, performing a go-around is not a failure but a hallmark of excellent decision-making and professionalism. It reflects a pilot’s commitment to safety and willingness to put precaution first.
- Safety First Mindset:
Choosing to go around shows a pilot’s priority is safety over ego or schedule. It means recognizing that landing under uncertain or unsafe conditions is riskier than aborting and trying again. - Preventing Accidents:
Many runway accidents and incidents occur because pilots attempt to salvage a bad approach or landing. Go-arounds break this chain by giving the pilot another chance to set up a safe landing. Statistics show that when pilots opt for go-arounds in questionable situations, the likelihood of accidents decreases significantly. - Confidence and Professionalism:
Executing a go-around smoothly demonstrates skill and readiness. It shows that the pilot has prepared well, trusts their training, and is confident enough to make the tough call when needed. - Training Reinforcement:
Regular practice of go-arounds builds muscle memory and reduces hesitation. This preparedness leads to faster, more effective responses in real emergencies or unexpected conditions.
At Leopard Aviation, we stress that knowing when to go around and having the ability to do it well is a critical mark of a responsible pilot. We encourage our students to view the go-around as a smart, safety-first maneuver, not a setback.
Training Go-Arounds at Leopard Aviation
At Leopard Aviation, we believe that mastering the aircraft go-around is crucial for any pilot. Our training program combines simulator practice and real flight experience to prepare students thoroughly for this essential maneuver.
Simulator and Flight Training
We start with simulator sessions where students can practice go-arounds in a controlled, safe environment. Simulators allow repeated practice of different go-around scenarios, including engine failures, unstable approaches, or sudden runway obstructions. This controlled setting lets students build muscle memory and gain confidence without real-world pressure.
Once students are comfortable, they transition to actual flight training, where they perform go-arounds under the watchful eye of our experienced instructors. This hands-on practice reinforces proper techniques, smooth power application, pitch adjustments, and communication with air traffic control.
Instructor Guidance and Evaluation
Our instructors play a key role in helping students recognize when a go-around is necessary. We emphasize decision-making skills as much as the physical maneuver itself. During training flights, instructors provide real-time feedback, correcting timing, control inputs, and judgment calls.
They evaluate how well students handle the aircraft and make safety-first decisions. This personalized coaching ensures that students not only perform the maneuver correctly but also understand the critical thinking behind executing a go-around.
Real-World Readiness
By combining simulator training, instructor guidance, and practical flight experience, Leopard Aviation prepares students to confidently perform aircraft go-arounds in both private and commercial flying.
Our graduates leave ready to make quick, sound decisions in unexpected situations, prioritizing safety above all. Whether navigating busy airports or challenging weather, you’ll have the skills and confidence to execute go-arounds smoothly, helping ensure every flight is as safe as possible.
Mastering the Aircraft Go-Around for Safer Flying
A go-around is a vital safety maneuver every pilot must understand and practice. Knowing when and how to execute a go-around can prevent accidents and keep you and your passengers safe.
At Leopard Aviation, we emphasize thorough training on this maneuver, ensuring you gain the confidence and skills needed to make the right decision in real flight situations.
If you want to fly with peace of mind and solid judgment, train with us. We’ll prepare you to handle go-arounds smoothly every time, setting you up for success in the cockpit.
FAQs
1. What defines a go-around maneuver?
A go-around is the procedure to abort landing when the approach criteria aren’t met. Pilots advance to full power, pitch to climb attitude (Vy), retract flaps incrementally, and climb away. It’s executed if the approach becomes unstable, the runway is obstructed, or ATC issues a missed approach, ensuring safety over forcing a landing.
2. Why might a pilot decide to execute a go-around?
Reasons include unstable approaches (excessive descent rate or incorrect airspeed), runway obstructions (vehicles, other aircraft, wildlife), sudden wind shifts or gusts, traffic conflicts, or ATC instructions. Go-arounds prevent forced landings under unsafe conditions; they’re a safety maneuver when success on final approach is not assured.
3. How is a go-around procedure performed step by step?
Upon decision: apply full throttle, pitch for best climb speed (Vy), and establish positive climb rate. Retract flaps to the go-around setting per POH, then raise remaining flaps as climb speed is stabilized. Communicate intentions to ATC (“Going around”), configure missed approach procedures, and either re-enter the traffic pattern or fly the published missed approach.
4. When should student pilots practice go-arounds?
Once students consistently fly stabilized approaches—typically mid-training—CFIs introduce go-around drills during pattern work. Practice under various simulated conditions: crosswinds, misaligned final, or simulated runway obstruction. Frequent repetition builds familiarity, reduces hesitation, and ingrains muscle memory for timely, correct execution during real scenarios.
5. What common mistakes occur during go-arounds?
Students may let airspeed decay by over-rotating the nose too steeply, causing stalled climbs. Retracting flaps too quickly can reduce lift prematurely. Forgetting to announce intentions to ATC delays traffic awareness. Overlooking climb power settings or mismanaging flaps leads to inadequate performance. Proper instruction minimizes these errors.