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Trim Use on Go-Around

Cessna 172 Takeoff Flying
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Leaving elevator trim set for approach during an aborted landing (go-around) is a common mistake that can lead to a dangerous "elevator-trim stall."
  • Applying full power with nose-up approach trim causes a strong nose-up pitching moment, requiring immediate forward yoke pressure and nose-down trim to establish a safe climb.
  • Failing to counteract this pitching moment risks an elevator-trim stall, which can be avoided by practicing go-arounds at a safe altitude to build muscle memory.
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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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