Definition
A manufacturer-published procedure listing the actions a pilot performs when a landing is discontinued late in the approach or after touchdown and a go-around is initiated. It typically specifies power setting, pitch attitude, configuration changes (flaps, landing gear), and airspeed targets needed to safely transition from the landing configuration back to a climb.
Plain English
A short list of steps the pilot follows when they decide not to complete a landing and need to climb away instead. It tells them how much power to add, what attitude to hold, and when to retract the flaps and gear.
Context Anchor
Seen in go-around training, landing practice, and aircraft checklists for the moment when the pilot rejects a landing close to the runway.
Derivation
Balked' comes from an old English word meaning to stop short or refuse to go forward — like a horse that balks at a jump. A balked landing is a landing that was started but stopped short of completion.
Why Pilots Care
Following the checklist in the correct order prevents configuration errors and loss of control during a high-workload maneuver that often surprises pilots.
Grounding Statement
The key idea is an immediate change of plan: stop landing, make the airplane climb safely, then sort out the next step.
Intuition Check
Balked does not mean a rough or badly performed landing. Here it means the landing attempt is intentionally stopped and changed into a climb away from the runway.
Example Sentence 1
After floating halfway down the runway, the instructor called for a go-around and the student ran the balked landing checklist from memory.
Example Sentence 2
During the lesson the instructor had the student verbalize each item on the balked landing checklist while climbing away.