What is a go-around and when should it be executed?

• A. A climb initiated when a landing cannot be safely completed; execute when criteria for landing are not met
• B. A descent to a lower altitude during approach
• C. A taxi instruction
• D. A routine engine check

Answer: (A)

A go-around is a deliberate climb away from the runway to abort a landing when you cannot safely complete it. You should execute a go-around anytime the approach cannot meet safe landing criteria—situations like an unstable approach, the runway not being clearly visible or properly aligned, mismatched airspeed or configuration, weather or obstacles making a landing unsafe, or ATC instructing you to go around.

In practice, you apply go-around power, establish a positive rate of climb, and then follow your aircraft’s standard procedure: retract gear and flaps according to SOP as you reach a safe climb speed, communicate with ATC, and proceed with the published missed approach or another approach as cleared. This is specifically about aborting a landing, not a descent during approach, a taxi instruction, or an engine check.