Go-Around

Objective

Upon completion of this lesson, the student will demonstrate proficiency in executing a go-around maneuver in accordance with FAA-S-ACS-15 Area of Operation V, Task E. The student will identify situations requiring a go-around, execute proper go-around procedures maintaining powerplant and rotor rpm within normal limits, establish a positive rate of climb with airspeed control ±10 knots, maintain directional control and wind-drift correction, and communicate appropriately with ATC while utilizing proper checklist procedures and single-pilot resource management techniques.

Content

Situations and Considerations Requiring a Go-Around

A go-around is a safety maneuver where the pilot discontinues an approach and initiates a climb to avoid an unsafe landing condition. Think of it like pulling your hand away from a hot stove—it’s an immediate response to avoid danger.

Common situations requiring a go-around include:

• Unstable approach (excessive sink rate, airspeed deviations)
• Runway obstructions (aircraft, vehicles, debris, wildlife)
• Poor visibility or weather deterioration
• Wind shear or severe turbulence
• Landing zone contamination (water, snow, loose debris)
• ATC instructions to go around
• Mechanical malfunctions during approach
• Loss of visual reference in helicopters operating VFR

Critical decision factors:

• Altitude above ground: The lower you are, the more urgent the decision becomes
• Rate of descent: High sink rates require immediate action
• Airspeed control: Departures from target approach airspeed indicate instability
• Wind conditions: Sudden wind changes can destabilize the approach

Per 14 CFR 91.113(g), pilots must give way to aircraft already on final approach or landing, but safety of flight always takes precedence over right-of-way rules.

Effects of Atmospheric Conditions on Go-Around

Density Altitude Impact: High density altitude reduces engine power output and rotor efficiency. During a go-around at high density altitude, expect:

• Reduced rate of climb capability
• Increased power requirements
• Longer time to establish positive climb
• Need for more aggressive collective input initially

Wind Effects:

• Tailwind component: Increases ground speed during approach; during go-around, tailwind can cause rapid airspeed loss if not properly managed
• Crosswind: Requires continuous anti-torque pedal adjustments during power application
• Wind shear: Can cause sudden airspeed and altitude changes; go-around may be required if shear is encountered

Turbulence Considerations: Turbulence during go-around requires constant control inputs to maintain desired flight path. Mountain wave, thermals, or mechanical turbulence can significantly affect climb performance.

Go-Around Procedures and Timely Decision Making

The key to a successful go-around is recognizing the need early and acting decisively. Hesitation is dangerous—it’s better to go around unnecessarily than to force a bad approach.

Standard Go-Around Procedure:

1. Immediate power application: Add collective smoothly but promptly to arrest descent
2. Attitude control: Adjust cyclic to establish proper attitude for climb
3. Anti-torque control: Apply left pedal as power increases to maintain heading
4. Airspeed management: Transition to best rate of climb airspeed for conditions
5. Communication: Notify ATC immediately: “Tower, Helicopter 123AB going around”
6. Checklist completion: Execute go-around checklist when workload permits

Decision-Making Timeline:

• 500 feet AGL: Final approach parameters must be stable
• 200 feet AGL: Last reasonable opportunity for routine go-around
• Below 200 feet AGL: Emergency decision only—requires immediate action

Risk Management Elements

Recognition of Need for Go-Around: Develop a mental “gate” system—specific altitude checkpoints where approach parameters must meet standards. If outside limits at any gate, initiate go-around immediately. Common recognition failures include:

• Fixation on landing despite deteriorating conditions
• “Get-home-itis” leading to poor decision-making
• Failure to establish personal minimums

Power and Flight Control Application: Sudden power application in helicopters creates multiple control challenges:

• Torque effect: Requires immediate left pedal input
• Power settling: Possible if go-around initiated in own downwash
• Vortex ring state: Risk increases with high rate of descent and low forward airspeed

Collision Hazards:

• Aircraft on parallel approaches or missed approach patterns
• Ground vehicles in movement areas
• Birds and wildlife during climb-out
• Other aircraft in traffic pattern

Distractions and Task Prioritization: During go-around, prioritize: Fly the aircraft first, navigate second, communicate third. Common distractions include:

• Radio calls from ATC
• Passenger concerns or questions
• Multiple system warnings or failures
• Weather information updates

Runway Incursion Prevention: Even though helicopters may not use runways exclusively, awareness of runway incursion risks is critical:

• Monitor ground control frequency when applicable
• Maintain visual scanning for ground traffic
• Use transponder and lighting as appropriate
• Follow airport signage and markings

Schedule

Equipment

Required References:

• FAA-H-8083-21B Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, Chapter 11
• FAA-S-ACS-15 Private Pilot Helicopter Airman Certification Standards
• Current Sectional Chart for local area
• Airport/Facility Directory for local airports
• Pilot Operating Handbook for aircraft being used

Materials and Visual Aids:

• Helicopter configured for training flights
• Headsets with intercom capability
• Approach plate for local airport
• Handheld GPS or tablet for situational awareness
• Go-around checklist (aircraft-specific)
• Sectional chart marked with practice areas

Weather Information:

• Current METAR/TAF for departure and destination airports
• Winds aloft forecast
• PIREPS for local area
• Density altitude calculations for current conditions

Instructor Actions

1. Brief the student on lesson objectives, emphasizing that go-around is a normal, safe procedure, not an emergency or failure.

2. Demonstrate decision-making process by verbalizing approach analysis: “At 300 feet, I’m checking airspeed, rate of descent, and alignment. We’re slightly fast and right of centerline.”

3. Show proper go-around technique with clear verbalization: “Go-around! Adding power smoothly, left pedal for torque, slight back cyclic for attitude, transitioning to climb airspeed.”

4. Emphasize communication timing: “Notice I called ‘going around’ immediately after starting the maneuver, not before. Fly first, communicate second.”

5. Create realistic scenarios during practice approaches: “There’s a deer on the landing area at 200 feet—what’s your decision?”

6. Guide student recognition skills by asking: “What are you seeing that makes this approach unstable? What’s your decision altitude?”

7. Demonstrate ATC coordination using proper phraseology and explaining frequency changes during go-around procedures.

8. Provide progressive instruction by reducing verbal cues with each practice repetition, allowing student to develop independent decision-making.

9. Address risk management throughout flight by discussing: “What are the collision hazards we need to consider during this go-around?”

10. Debrief each maneuver immediately after execution, highlighting positive aspects and areas for improvement using specific performance criteria.

Student Actions

Pre-flight Phase:

• Review go-around procedures in POH and identify key performance parameters
• Calculate density altitude and its effect on climb performance
• Brief communication procedures with instructor for simulated ATC environment

During Flight:

• Monitor approach parameters continuously and call out deviations
• Make timely go-around decisions based on established criteria
• Execute go-around procedures with smooth, coordinated control inputs
• Maintain positive aircraft control throughout the maneuver
• Communicate go-around intention clearly using proper phraseology
• Complete appropriate checklists when workload permits
• Demonstrate situational awareness of traffic and obstacles

Practice Progression:

• Initially respond to instructor-called go-arounds
• Progress to self-initiated go-arounds based on approach conditions
• Handle multiple distractions while maintaining aircraft control
• Demonstrate go-around procedures in various wind conditions

Post-flight:

• Self-assess performance against ACS standards
• Identify personal minimums for approach stability
• Review any challenging scenarios and discuss alternative techniques

Completion Standards

The student demonstrates satisfactory performance when able to:

FAA-S-ACS-15 PH.V.E Knowledge Requirements:

• Accurately identify at least three situations requiring a go-around with specific examples
• Explain how density altitude, wind conditions, and turbulence affect go-around performance
• Describe proper go-around procedures including timing of decision-making

FAA-S-ACS-15 PH.V.E Risk Management:

• Recognize need for go-around before reaching critical decision point
• Apply power and flight controls smoothly without exceeding normal operating limits
• Maintain awareness of collision hazards and verbalize traffic scanning
• Prioritize tasks appropriately during high-workload go-around phase
• Demonstrate runway incursion avoidance procedures when applicable

FAA-S-ACS-15 PH.V.E Skill Standards:

• Make timely decision to discontinue approach or comply with evaluator instruction without hesitation
• Maintain powerplant and rotor rpm within normal limits (typically ±50 rpm) during power application
• Establish positive rate of climb and maintain airspeed within ±10 knots of target
• Maintain directional control within ±10 degrees of desired heading throughout maneuver
• Apply proper wind-drift correction to maintain desired ground track
• Communicate with ATC using correct phraseology within 10 seconds of initiating go-around
• Complete go-around checklist within 2 minutes when workload permits
• Demonstrate effective single-pilot resource management by prioritizing flight duties appropriately
• Execute runway incursion avoidance procedures without prompting when scenarios require

Overall Performance Criteria: Student consistently demonstrates go-around proficiency in varying conditions with minimal instructor intervention, showing confidence in decision-making and precise aircraft control throughout the maneuver.