It’s important to know how and when to perform a go-around. [Credit: Meg Godlewski]
Key Takeaways:
Go-arounds are crucial, normal safety maneuvers that pilots must master to prevent accidents, especially during the landing phase.
Pilots should initiate a go-around for various reasons, including unstable approaches, forgotten checklist items (e.g., GUMPS), overcontrolling, or encountering unexpected runway obstacles or traffic.
Proper go-around execution requires specific techniques, such as using trim, applying right rudder to counteract left-turning tendencies, and incrementally retracting flaps.
Maintaining high situational awareness, verifying correct runway alignment, and being prepared to go around are essential for safe flying.
This is what my instructor said when he taught me how to do a go-around, also known as a balked landing. Knowing when not to land is more important than how to land because trying to salvage a bad landing often leads to an accident.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
![It’s important to know how to do a go-around. [Credit: Meg Godlewski]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VFR-into-IFR-smoke-scaled-e1681249141756.jpg)
