For pilots, knowing when to execute a go around is a skill that can make the difference between a smooth landing and a potentially dangerous situation. In Day 18 of the 31-Day Safer Pilot Challenge, MzeroA’s Ray breaks down the decision-making process and real-world execution of go-arounds.
What is a Go-Around in Aviation?
A go-around is a VFR maneuver executed when conditions make a safe landing impossible or inadvisable. Unlike the missed approach procedure used in IFR approaches, a VFR go-around is flexible and situational, allowing pilots to respond to factors such as unstable approaches, traffic conflict, or unexpected obstacles. The key for pilots is to always aviate, navigate, and communicate. Flying the plane comes first; emotions like embarrassment or self-double should never interfere with the decision to go-around; executing one demonstrates maturity and safe decision-making.
Common Reasons to Execute a Go-Around
Executing a go around involves a series of steps.
- Apply full power and use the right rudder to counter left-turning tendencies.
- Engage the TOGA button if available, adjusting pitch to 10-15 degrees for positive climb.
- Retract flaps incrementally according to your aircraft’s Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), while maintaining safe climb speed.
- Reconfigure the aircraft, clean up, and re-enter the traffic pattern.
- Maintain constant situational awareness, monitoring altitude, speed, and traffic for a safe approach on the next attempt.
Ray emphasizes the importance of using the downwind leg to get ahead of the plan and properly configure for landing. Planning and stabilization early in the approach make go-arounds smoother and safer if needed.
Safer Pilot Challenge 2026
The Safer Pilot Challenge is our yearly vow to help you become a smarter, safer pilot, and it runs all month long every January, wrapping up with our big livestream finale on January 31! We’re giving away prizes throughout the month, so be sure to watch each YouTube video and leave the specific comment to enter for a chance to win. Are you committing to 31 for 31 days of the Safer Pilot Challenge? If you love our free content, just imagine what our full courses can do for you. We’d love to welcome you into our ground schools! Start today with a free 2-week trial and see if MzeroA is the right fit for your aviation journey!