Flaps or Gear First?

Depending on what youre flying, its manufacturer may have placed specific go-around recommendations in the POH/AFM. If so, its always a good idea to follow them and conform to the listed sequence of actions. Going around can be a busy time, and scrounging around for the balked-landing checklist is a no-no. You should have the appropriate sequence of actions memorized from your previous landing-practice sessions. …

Editorial Staff

Thursday, January 07, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Always follow and memorize the manufacturer's specific go-around recommendations found in the POH/AFM.
Prioritize retracting the landing gear first to reduce drag, then cautiously adjust flaps, potentially to an intermediate setting, to balance lift and drag reduction, especially at slow speeds.
While POH/AFM procedures are the primary guide, be prepared to adapt actions based on the specific conditions.

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Depending on what you’re flying, its manufacturer may have placed specific go-around recommendations in the POH/AFM. If so, it’s always a good idea to follow them and conform to the listed sequence of actions. Going around can be a busy time, and scrounging around for the balked-landing checklist is a no-no. You should have the appropriate sequence of actions memorized from your previous landing-practice sessions.

Generally, it’s also a good idea to get the landing gear coming up first, before retracting the flaps. That’s because having the gear dangling in the breeze creates drag, reducing acceleration and climb rate. Also, the landing gear on most personal airplanes takes a few seconds to cycle from the extended position to being nicely tucked away.