Surviving The Missed

As a student of NTSB reports and an active instrument flight instructor, I have come to the conclusion we do not stress preparedness for the missed approach procedure enough, either in initial instrument training or in instrument proficiency checks. In addition to collisions with obstacles because of an improperly flown missed, the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee, an FAA/industry working group charged with identifying and mitigating the causes of fatal general aviation accidents, has identified loss of control during a missed approach as one of its focus scenarios. This suggests that—even when the pilot attempts to fly the missed approach procedure properly—the workload of doing so may be greater than the pilot is prepared to handle. So how can we make certain we are properly briefed for the missed approach, so we know how to fly it correctly? What can we do to reduce pilot workload while flying the missed?

Key Takeaways:

• Pilots must prioritize thorough pre-flight preparation for missed approaches, including memorizing the initial climb segment and trimming the aircraft for climb speed, to effectively reduce in-flight workload.
• During a missed approach, strictly adhere to the "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate" hierarchy, ensuring aircraft control and establishing a safe climb before focusing on navigation or communicating with ATC.
• Frequent and varied practice of missed approaches is crucial for building proficiency and making the procedure natural, thereby enhancing safety and preparedness.

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