Definition
An autopilot or flight director mode that, when engaged, commands a pre-programmed climb attitude and (in many systems) wings-level or runway-track guidance to fly a missed approach or go-around. In helicopters with coupled flight control systems, engaging G/A mode typically initiates a climb at a defined pitch attitude and airspeed, and may automatically disengage other approach modes.
Plain English
A button or mode the pilot can select that tells the aircraft's automation to stop the approach and start climbing away in a controlled, pre-set manner.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter instrument procedures and Helicopter Flight Manual limitations for flight director, autopilot, or automatic flight control system use during a missed approach or go-around.
Derivation
G/A is shorthand for 'go-around,' the maneuver flown when an approach cannot be completed to landing. The slash is simply a written convention to separate the two letters of the abbreviation.
Why Pilots Care
It provides standardized guidance that reduces workload and helps maintain a safe flight path during a critical phase of flight.
Grounding Statement
At the point where the approach is no longer continued, selecting G/A mode changes the guidance from coming down toward landing to climbing away.
Intuition Check
G/A mode does not mean the helicopter automatically completes the entire missed approach for you. It means a guidance mode has been selected; the pilot must still add the required power, control the aircraft, monitor the instruments, and follow the approved procedure.
Example Sentence 1
When the crew was unable to acquire the runway environment at the decision altitude, the pilot pressed the G/A button and the autopilot transitioned to G/A mode, pitching up to the published climb attitude.
Example Sentence 2
The helicopter flight manual limits G/A mode use to specific gross weights and wind conditions.