Definition
A go-around, also known as an aborted landing, missed approach, or wave-off, is a critical flight maneuver executed when a landing approach cannot be safely completed. In a go-around, the pilot discontinues the landing, initiates a climb, and repositions the aircraft for another approach. Go-arounds can be initiated either by the pilot or by air traffic control (ATC), commonly due to unstable approaches, runway obstructions, or adverse weather. They are a fundamental safety protocol used to prevent accidents during the landing phase—the most accident-prone phase of flight.
Key Takeaways
Purposeful Safety Maneuver – A go-around is not a failure but a proactive safety measure to prevent unstable or unsafe landings.
Pilot or ATC-Initiated – May be executed at the pilot’s discretion or as directed by air traffic control to ensure safe runway operations.
Situational Awareness – Go-around decisions require strong situational awareness and rapid decision-making under pressure.
Admitting the Need – Many pilots struggle to admit when a go-around is necessary, fearing it may be perceived as a sign of incompetence rather than a prudent safety choice. Recognizing the need for a go-around is crucial for maintaining safety.
Common Triggers – Unstable approach, runway incursions, adverse weather, or last-minute changes in runway availability often prompt a go-around.
Communication Is Critical – Clear and immediate communication with ATC is essential to maintain safe airspace and avoid traffic conflicts during the procedure.
Introduction to Go-Arounds
The go-around is a standard maneuver built into every approach procedure to ensure safety when a landing cannot be completed safely. Whether due to poor visibility, an occupied runway, or unstable flight path, go-arounds allow the pilot to reposition the airplane and reattempt a safer landing. Various factors, such as airspeed and runway conditions, significantly affect the performance and decision-making of pilots when managing an airplane’s descent and landing approach. Rather than being a rare or emergency action, go-arounds are a normal, expected part of flight training and operations.
Pilots must be ready to perform a go-around at any point during an approach and must recognize it as a smart, safety-first decision rather than a sign of failure. Modern training emphasizes the go-around as an essential tool for managing risk and maintaining control in dynamic airport environments.
Situational Awareness and Decision-Making
Situational awareness is at the heart of safe and timely go-around execution. Pilots must rapidly assess multiple factors—aircraft energy state, flight path stability, runway conditions, traffic, and weather—often within seconds.
Effective go-around decisions hinge on the pilot’s ability to prioritize safety over commitment to landing. Training programs reinforce go-around scenarios, helping pilots develop confidence in recognizing red flags and acting decisively when continuing a landing poses risks. It is crucial for pilots to realize critical moments during flight, such as when they have forgotten to complete checklists or when a landing does not go as planned, as this recognition can lead to better decision-making and safety during go-arounds.
Common Reasons for Go-Arounds
Unstable Approach – Excessive airspeed, descent rate, or deviation from the runway centerline can lead to an unstable approach. Significant adjustments during the final approach may necessitate a go-around to regain proper alignment and control.
Runway Obstruction – Another aircraft, vehicle, or animal on the runway can create immediate hazards, making a go-around necessary to avoid a collision.
Adverse Weather – Wind shear, sudden gusts, or low visibility near the threshold often require go-arounds for safety.
ATC Instruction – Air traffic controllers may issue a go-around to maintain separation from preceding aircraft or accommodate airport operations.
Wind Shear Considerations
Wind shear—sudden changes in wind speed or direction—can severely affect aircraft performance during approach or go-around. Various wind conditions, including gusting winds and wind shear, may cause rapid loss of lift, increased sink rate, or instability near the runway.
Pilots are trained to detect wind shear through both visual and instrument cues, and react by initiating a go-around immediately. Aircraft equipped with predictive wind shear systems enhance the ability to preemptively identify hazardous wind conditions and respond accordingly.
Executing a Go-Around
Executing a go-around involves a series of coordinated actions:
Apply Full Power – Advance throttle to climb power settings.
Pitch Up – Raise the nose to establish a safe climb attitude. Managing the aircraft climbing behavior is crucial during this step. Adjust power, pitch attitude, and flaps to ensure a positive climb rate.
Retract Flaps Gradually – Configure aircraft for climb by adjusting flaps and gear as appropriate.
Maintain Control – Focus on airspeed and flight path stability.
Communicate – Inform ATC of the go-around and await instructions for rejoining the traffic pattern or entering a holding pattern.
Successful go-arounds require confident and immediate action. Delays or indecision can lead to loss of control or airspace conflicts.
Air Traffic Control Instructions
Air traffic control (ATC) plays a crucial role in ensuring safe landing operations, especially during go-arounds. When a go-around is necessary, ATC provides essential guidance to pilots, helping them navigate the traffic pattern and maintain runway safety. Typically, the air traffic controller will instruct the pilot to “go around” or “climb and maintain” a specific altitude, depending on the situation.
Pilots must acknowledge and comply with ATC instructions promptly to maintain safe separation from other aircraft and avoid immediate safety consequences. This coordination is vital, particularly in busy airspace where multiple aircraft may be approaching the same runway. In cases where a go-around is initiated due to an unstabilized approach or other safety concerns, ATC will provide further instructions to ensure a safe landing. Effective communication between pilots and ATC is essential to manage air traffic and ensure the safety of all flights.
Communication with Air Traffic Control
Clear and timely communication with ATC is essential during a go-around. The pilot must:
Declare the go-around with a simple call: “Going around.”
Follow ATC instructions for altitude, heading, or holding.
Confirm future intentions, such as re-entering the pattern or diverting to an alternate airport.
ATC, in turn, coordinates other aircraft and adjusts sequencing to ensure safe traffic flow.
Air Traffic Management
Go-arounds affect overall airport flow and airspace management. Controllers must quickly adjust traffic sequencing and spacing to accommodate the go-around safely. The tower controller plays a crucial role in this process, making critical decisions to ensure safe aircraft operations. They may request a go-around due to insufficient separation from another aircraft or because the runway is obstructed.
Effective air traffic management minimizes delays and reduces the risk of midair conflict by:
Issuing heading and altitude instructions.
Coordinating with approach or tower controllers.
Managing spacing for multiple aircraft approaching the same runway.
Go-Around Procedures and Checklists
Executing a go-around involves a series of critical steps that pilots must perform with precision. The procedure begins with advancing to full power to initiate a climb. The pilot flying must then pitch up to establish a safe climb attitude and configure the aircraft for climb by gradually retracting full flaps to reduce drag and achieve a positive rate of climb.
Following a standardized checklist is crucial to ensure a safe and efficient go-around. This checklist includes steps such as maintaining directional control, monitoring airspeed, and ensuring situational awareness. The pilot flying must also communicate with ATC to receive further instructions, which may include re-entering the traffic pattern or following a missed approach procedure.
Tower controllers play a key role in guiding the go-around procedure, providing instructions on altitude, heading, and speed to ensure safe separation from other aircraft. By adhering to these procedures and maintaining clear communication, pilots can execute go-arounds safely and effectively.
Best Practices for Safe Go-Around Procedures
Train Regularly – Go-around proficiency must be maintained through flight simulator sessions and recurrent training.
Be Ready – Always anticipate the possibility of a go-around, regardless of approach stability.
Know the Triggers – Understand the cues that signal an unstable approach or unsafe landing condition. Recognizing when an approach is not stabilized is crucial. Pilots must be aware of the importance of a stabilized approach and be prepared to initiate a go-around at predetermined altitudes to ensure safety during landing.
Follow Standard Procedures – Use checklists and standard operating procedures to ensure consistency and safety.
Avoid “Get-There-Itis” – Never hesitate to go around when safety is compromised. Landing is optional; a safe go-around is mandatory.
Safety Benefits of Go-Arounds
Go-arounds are a critical safety procedure that can prevent landing accidents and ensure safe landing operations. By aborting a landing and going around, pilots can avoid immediate safety consequences, such as collisions with other aircraft or vehicles on the runway. This proactive maneuver helps prevent incidents caused by unstable approaches, wind shear, or other factors that can affect aircraft performance.
Many pilots have credited go-arounds with saving lives and preventing serious incidents, highlighting the importance of this routine maneuver. The safety benefits of go-arounds are well-documented, with data showing that they can significantly reduce the risk of landing accidents and improve overall runway safety.
In addition to safety benefits, go-arounds can also help reduce stress and workload for pilots, allowing them to re-establish a stable approach and land safely. The use of go-arounds has been recognized as a key factor in reducing the number of landing accidents and is widely regarded as an essential safety procedure in aviation. By prioritizing safety and following established procedures, pilots can ensure a safe landing and minimize the risk of incidents, even in challenging weather conditions or with aircraft technical issues.
Safety Procedures and Protocols
Standardized go-around protocols ensure all crew members and ATC are aligned during this critical phase:
Brief the Go-Around – Discuss the go-around procedure as part of the approach briefing.
Monitor Aircraft Configuration – Use callouts to manage landing gear and flaps retraction sequence during a go-around.
Cross-Check Performance – Monitor speed, pitch, and engine parameters during climb-out.
Safety culture promotes go-arounds as a routine safety tool, not a deviation from the norm.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Go-arounds are a foundational component of aviation safety. Whether due to approach instability, air traffic conflicts, or unpredictable weather, they serve as a structured, safe exit from a risky landing situation. Pilots, controllers, and airport operators must be well-versed in their procedures to ensure safety and efficiency.
With proper training, communication, and execution, go-arounds preserve safety without disrupting operations. As technology evolves, tools like real-time weather monitoring and predictive systems further enhance the safety and precision of go-around decisions. Pilots who view go-arounds as a proactive safety measure, rather than a last resort, are better equipped to protect passengers, aircraft, and airspace integrity. Proper execution of go-arounds can be a life-saving action, preventing loss of life by avoiding dangerous situations such as stalling or controlled flight into terrain, especially under challenging conditions like low altitudes or instrument meteorological conditions.
Summary
Go-arounds are a vital safety maneuver that allows pilots to abandon unsafe landings and re-establish control for a safe approach. They involve quick decisions, coordinated aircraft control, and effective communication with ATC. Common triggers include unstable approaches, runway obstructions, and adverse weather conditions like wind shear. Go-arounds can frequently happen due to various factors, such as wind shifts or obstructions on the runway, impacting flight safety and management. Proper training, situational awareness, and adherence to standardized procedures ensure that go-arounds are executed safely and effectively.
Understanding the go-around process is essential for pilots at all levels—from student pilots learning decision-making fundamentals to experienced commercial aviators managing busy airspace. With safety as the guiding principle, the go-around remains a cornerstone of safe landing operations in all segments of aviation.
