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 aircraft's POH/AFM go-around procedures, which outline the specific sequence of actions.
Generally, retract the landing gear first to reduce drag and improve climb rate, before cautiously retracting flaps.
Retract flaps to an intermediate setting initially to maintain some lift, especially at slow speeds near the ground, to prevent a sudden sink.
While POH/AFM procedures are the default, be prepared to adapt your actions if specific conditions demand a different approach.

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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.