When Should a Pilot Initiate a Go-Around?

Knowing how and when to commence he maneuver is like an art form.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Go-arounds, also called a ‘balked landing,’ are part of all pilot training. [Credit: FLYING Archive]

Key Takeaways:

Initiate a go-around if the approach is unstable (e.g., not properly configured, too high, too low, or off centerline) as salvaging a poor approach is unsafe, unless in a dire emergency.
Always go around if there are any obstructions on the runway, such as another aircraft, vehicle, person, or animal, and never assume they will clear.
The go-around procedure ("ups") prioritizes immediately adding power and pitching up to climb away safely, with radio communication made once the aircraft is stable and under control.

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Question: When should a pilot initiate a go-around? I am a student pilot and I know enough to go around if the tower tells me to or the CFI I am flying with tells me to, but what do I do when I am flying solo at a nontowered airport?

Answer: If you are behind the airplane, meaning the aircraft isn’t properly configured (on speed, flaps down, and landing gear down), or too high, too low, or not lined up on the centerline, going around is a good aeronautical decision. Unless it is an emergency and landing must be made now, never try to salvage a poor approach.