A go-around, or the process of taking off again after aborting a landing, is a standard procedure, and there are specific reasons why a pilot decides to execute it instead of continuing with the landing. Some passengers might find it irritating, thinking they’ll soon be on the ground, but they need to understand that pilots have valid reasons for a go-around. Executing a go-around doesn’t mean the pilot lacks landing skills; rather, they may see something on their radar or in front of them that we as passengers don’t. Air traffic control can also instruct them to abort a landing if they detect the presence of wind shear.
Also, just because you see clear skies outside the window or another plane lands ahead of you, it doesn’t mean that weather conditions won’t change abruptly. Weather, especially wind conditions, can change suddenly and pose an immediate danger to a landing aircraft. Hence, there are times when pilots will need to call off the landing and execute a go-around, which I’ll explain here.
If you’ve ever been on a plane that’s about to land and suddenly find yourself climbing back into the sky, you’ve experienced a go-around. This maneuver, also known as a “missed approach,” occurs when the conditions aren’t right for a safe landing. The plane powers up to full thrust and climbs to a safe altitude before making another landing attempt.
Why Go-Arounds Happen
There are several reasons why a go-around might occur. One common reason is poor weather conditions. If pilots can’t see the runway when they reach what’s known as the ‘decision height,’ they’ll climb back up and wait for conditions like fog or rain to clear.
Another reason could be crowded skies. According to Cathay Pacific Captain Peter Hudson, “When the distance between two landing aircraft goes below a certain distance, one aircraft is taken out of the landing sequence by air traffic control to maintain safe separation.” He adds that if a plane takes too long to leave the runway, a go-around will be initiated.
How Pilots Prepare for Go-Arounds
Pilots are well-prepared for this maneuver. “A go-around is a standard procedure and we prepare for it as part of our recurring training in the simulator roughly every 90 days, so when it does happen, we know exactly what to do,” says Captain Hudson. Before landing, pilots make sure the necessary navigation for a potential go-around is programmed into the flight computers. They also discuss strategies for safely entering and exiting the landing sequence if a go-around becomes necessary.
Once the decision for a go-around is made, the first step is to power up. “We will generally use maximum thrust, and because the aircraft is fuel-light at the end of a journey, it gathers speed and height very quickly,” Captain Hudson explains. After that, pilots focus on navigating correctly and reaching the right altitude. They then retract the undercarriage and flaps to reduce drag before communicating with air traffic control to re-enter the landing sequence.
How Often Do Go-Arounds Happen?
Go-arounds are relatively rare. Major airports around the world report an average of just one per day. So, if you ever find yourself in a situation where your plane starts to climb just as you think you’re about to land, now you know it’s a standard, well-practiced procedure designed for your safety.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
