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AviationGo-around and rejected landing
On short final, something is wrong: you decide in time to discontinue the landing, apply full power, climb at VX or VY, configure the airplane and move to the side of the runway if traffic is in the way. It is Task N of Area IV, Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds, in the FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards, the checkride every private pilot flies.
Free to startThe steps
- Complete the appropriate checklists.
- Make radio calls as appropriate.
- Make a timely decision to discontinue the approach to landing.
- Apply takeoff power immediately and change to the climb pitch attitude for VX or VY, as appropriate, +10/-5 knots.
- Configure the airplane after a positive rate of climb is verified, or as the manufacturer says.
- Maneuver to the side of the runway or landing area when needed to clear and avoid conflicting traffic.
- Hold VY +10/-5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
- Keep directional control and the right wind-drift correction through the climb.
- Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable.
Safety rules that stop the station
- Any action, or lack of action, that makes the examiner step in to keep the flight safe is unsatisfactory.
- Not clearing the area with a proper visual scan before and during the maneuver is unsatisfactory.
- Consistently exceeding the tolerances of the task, or not correcting promptly when you exceed them, is unsatisfactory.
To pass
- A timely decision, takeoff power at once, VX or VY +10/-5 knots, the airplane configured and clear of conflicting traffic.
- Know the stabilized approach and energy management, how the atmosphere, wind and density altitude affect a go-around, wind correction on departure, and the risks of recognizing or flying the go-around too late, power application, configuring the airplane, collision, low-altitude stalls and spins, distractions, runway incursion and a go-around after accepting a land and hold short clearance.
- Missing the standard on this task fails the task and its area of operation.
Official source
Federal · FAA Private Pilot ACS
Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6C)
The FAA publishes the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards free: every task of the checkride with its knowledge, risks and tolerances.
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