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Trim Use on Go-Around

Cessna 172 Takeoff Flying
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Leaving elevator trim set for approach during a go-around is dangerous, as the sudden application of full power creates a strong nose-up pitching moment.
  • Failure to immediately apply forward yoke pressure and trim nose down can lead to a dangerous "elevator-trim stall."
  • Pilots must practice go-arounds at a safe altitude to develop the muscle memory necessary for these stall-avoidance techniques.
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We all know that we use elevator trim to reduce pressures on the yoke in flight and thereby make our airplanes easier to handle. You might reason that during an aborted landing you can leave the trim wheel alone if, say, you’re already trimmed for an approach at 70 knots and want to execute a climbing go-around at 70 knots. But in many airplanes, that’s a big mistake.

The possibility for a stall increases during a go-around when a great deal of nose-up elevator trim is dialed in and full power is suddenly applied. With the elevator trim set for approach attitude, the nose-up pitching moment can be very pronounced, leading to trouble in a hurry if you aren’t on top of things.

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