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 memorize and follow the aircraft's POH/AFM go-around recommendations, though be prepared to adapt procedures if conditions demand.
Generally, retract the landing gear first to reduce drag and improve climb rate, acknowledging that some aircraft may experience a momentary increase in drag during this cycle.
Manage flaps cautiously, retracting them to an intermediate setting to reduce drag while retaining enough lift to prevent an unwanted descent at low speeds.

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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.