Go-Around

Objective

Upon completion of this lesson, the CFI candidate will demonstrate the ability to teach go-around procedures in a helicopter by explaining decision-making criteria, atmospheric considerations, proper control inputs, and safety protocols. The candidate will demonstrate proficiency in teaching both the aerodynamic theory and practical execution of go-arounds while maintaining helicopter-specific control techniques. This lesson addresses ACS task HI.X.B and prepares students to execute go-arounds safely and effectively in various scenarios.

Content

Introduction to Go-Around Procedures

The go-around is a fundamental safety maneuver that transforms a potentially dangerous landing approach into a safe climb-out. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters have unique considerations during go-arounds due to their rotor system characteristics, power requirements, and low-altitude maneuvering capabilities.

Situations Requiring Go-Around (HI.X.B.K1)

Primary Go-Around Scenarios:

• Unstabilized approach parameters (excessive rate of descent, incorrect airspeed, improper alignment)
• Runway/landing zone obstacles or incursions
• Wind shear or unexpected gusts exceeding aircraft limitations
• Air traffic control instructions
• Mechanical anomalies or warning lights
• Poor visibility conditions deteriorating below minimums
• Student pilot loss of control or dangerous flight path

The “Continue or Go-Around” Decision Matrix: Teach students to evaluate three critical factors simultaneously:

1. Safety margins - Are we within normal operating parameters?
2. Trend analysis - Are conditions improving or deteriorating?
3. Workload assessment - Can I safely manage the current situation?

Use the analogy: “Think of go-around decision-making like emergency braking in a car - the earlier you recognize the need, the safer and smoother the correction becomes.”

Atmospheric Conditions and Go-Around Effects (HI.X.B.K2)

Density Altitude Considerations:

• High density altitude reduces available power margin for go-around climb
• Calculate go-around power requirements during preflight planning
• In hot/high conditions, consider go-around capability before beginning approach

Wind Effects on Go-Around:

• Tailwind component: Increases ground speed, requires longer transition to climb attitude
• Crosswind: Demands immediate drift correction during power application
• Wind shear: May require aggressive power application and attitude changes
• Turbulence: Affects control responsiveness and power settling potential

Low-Level Wind Considerations: Helicopter rotor systems are particularly susceptible to wind gradient effects during go-arounds. The transition from ground effect to out-of-ground-effect flight during climb-out occurs in the critical wind gradient zone.

Go-Around Procedures and Decision Timing (HI.X.B.K3)

The “PREACH” Go-Around Memory Aid:

• Power - Apply climb power immediately
• Rotor RPM - Monitor and maintain within limits
• Elevator (cyclic) - Arrest descent, establish climb attitude
• Attitude - Transition to appropriate climb pitch attitude
• Communicate - Advise ATC/traffic of go-around
• Heading - Maintain directional control and drift correction

Critical Decision Points:

• High Reconnaissance: 300-500 feet AGL - primary evaluation point
• Low Reconnaissance: 100-200 feet AGL - final commitment decision
• Short Final: Below 100 feet AGL - immediate action required for any anomaly

Timing Emphasis: “In helicopters, go-around decisions must be made earlier than in fixed-wing aircraft due to our higher power requirements and different energy management characteristics.”

Common Go-Around Errors (HI.X.B.K4)

Power Application Errors:

• Insufficient power application (leading to continued descent)
• Excessive power causing over-torque or rotor RPM exceedance
• Delayed power application after recognizing the need

Control Input Errors:

• Excessive aft cyclic during power application (tail rotor effectiveness loss)
• Inadequate anti-torque pedal input with power changes
• Poor directional control during transition to climb

Decision-Making Errors:

• Delayed recognition of go-around necessity
• Attempting to salvage an unstable approach
• Fixation on landing zone rather than overall safety

Risk Management Elements

Recognition Factors (HI.X.B.R1): Develop scanning techniques to identify go-around triggers early. Use the “threat and error management” approach - categorize potential threats before they become errors requiring go-around execution.

Power and Control Application (HI.X.B.R2): Emphasize smooth, deliberate control inputs. Avoid abrupt power applications that can lead to loss of control or rotor system limitations. Practice coordinated power and anti-torque inputs.

Collision Hazard Management (HI.X.B.R3): Maintain visual scanning during go-around execution. In traffic patterns, immediately establish communication with other aircraft. Be aware of noise-sensitive areas and obstruction clearance requirements.

Task Management and Situational Awareness (HI.X.B.R4): Use single-pilot resource management techniques. Prioritize: fly the aircraft first, navigate second, communicate third. Maintain instrument scan during IMC go-arounds.

Runway Incursion Prevention (HI.X.B.R5): Coordinate with ground control when applicable. Understand airport signage and markings. Maintain separation from ground traffic during hover taxi operations.

Schedule

Equipment

Required References:

• FAA-H-8083-21A Helicopter Flying Handbook (Chapter 11)
• FAA-H-8083-4 Helicopter Flight Training Handbook
• POH/RFM for aircraft type
• Current aeronautical charts for local area
• ACS FAA-S-ACS-29 CFI Helicopter Standards

Visual Aids:

• Approach profile diagrams showing go-around decision points
• Power setting charts for various density altitudes
• Local airport diagram with noise-sensitive areas marked
• Wind triangle computation tools

Equipment:

• Whiteboard/markers for diagramming
• Calculator for density altitude computations
• Sectional chart for obstacle clearance planning

Instructor Actions

1. Demonstrate Teaching of Decision Criteria: Present scenarios requiring go-around decisions, walking through the decision matrix systematically. Use specific examples from local flying area, including obstacle clearance and traffic pattern considerations.

2. Explain Atmospheric Effects: Calculate density altitude effects on go-around performance using actual aircraft performance charts. Demonstrate wind triangle solutions for crosswind go-around scenarios.

3. Model Procedure Instruction: Teach the PREACH memory aid through progressive disclosure, building each element systematically. Demonstrate proper sequencing of control inputs using aircraft controls or simulator.

4. Analyze Common Errors: Present case studies of go-around errors, having students identify the mistake and propose corrective action. Use video examples or detailed scenario descriptions.

5. Integrate Risk Management: Walk through threat identification techniques, demonstrating how to build situational awareness during approach phases. Show how SRM/CRM techniques apply to go-around decisions.

6. Coordinate Communication Procedures: Demonstrate proper phraseology for go-around communications with ATC and other traffic. Practice radio calls appropriate for controlled and uncontrolled airports.

7. Address Student Questions: Respond to questions about specific aircraft limitations, local airport procedures, and emergency go-around scenarios.

8. Evaluate Student Understanding: Quiz student on decision criteria, proper procedures, and risk management techniques through oral questioning and scenario-based problems.

Student Actions

1. Identify Go-Around Scenarios: Analyze presented approach scenarios and determine whether go-around is warranted using taught criteria.

2. Calculate Performance: Compute density altitude effects on go-around capability for given conditions using aircraft performance charts.

3. Demonstrate Procedures: Walk through PREACH memory aid, explaining each step and its importance to safe go-around execution.

4. Recognize Common Errors: Identify errors in presented go-around scenarios and explain appropriate corrective actions.

5. Apply Risk Management: Demonstrate threat identification techniques and explain how SRM principles apply to go-around situations.

6. Practice Communications: Execute proper radio phraseology for various go-around scenarios in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.

7. Solve Problems: Work through density altitude calculations, wind correction angles, and obstacle clearance requirements for go-around planning.

8. Ask Clarifying Questions: Seek clarification on complex scenarios, aircraft-specific limitations, or local procedure variations.

Completion Standards

The CFI candidate demonstrates satisfactory performance when able to teach go-around procedures according to ACS task HI.X.B by:

1. Knowledge Demonstration: Accurately explaining all situations requiring go-around (HI.X.B.K1), atmospheric effects (HI.X.B.K2), proper procedures and timing (HI.X.B.K3), and common errors (HI.X.B.K4) with practical examples relevant to helicopter operations.

2. Risk Management Instruction: Teaching recognition techniques (HI.X.B.R1), proper control application (HI.X.B.R2), collision avoidance (HI.X.B.R3), task prioritization (HI.X.B.R4), and runway incursion prevention (HI.X.B.R5) through scenario-based training.

3. Procedure Teaching: Demonstrating ability to teach timely decision-making (HI.X.B.S1), power and RPM management (HI.X.B.S2), climb establishment within ±5 knots (HI.X.B.S3), and directional control maintenance (HI.X.B.S4).

4. Integration Skills: Teaching coordination with ATC (HI.X.B.S5), checklist usage (HI.X.B.S6), SRM/CRM application (HI.X.B.S7), runway incursion avoidance (HI.X.B.S8), and error analysis techniques (HI.X.B.S9).

5. Instructional Effectiveness: Presenting information in logical sequence, using appropriate teaching methods, providing clear explanations with practical examples, and evaluating student understanding through effective questioning techniques.

Performance must meet the standards outlined in ACS task HI.X.B, demonstrating both technical knowledge and instructional competency required for helicopter flight instruction certification.