Definition
A maneuver in which a pilot discontinues an approach to landing and climbs the aircraft back to a safe altitude to either re-enter the traffic pattern for another approach or proceed elsewhere. It involves applying full power, establishing a positive climb, retracting flaps and gear on a planned schedule, and complying with any published or controller-issued missed approach or go-around instructions.
Plain English
Stopping a landing attempt and climbing away to try again or go somewhere else.
Context Anchor
Used during landing practice, tower instructions, or any approach when the aircraft is not safely set up to land.
Derivation
The phrase comes from the plain idea of going around for another try instead of continuing straight to a landing. In aviation, it means leaving the landing attempt and coming back in a safe, controlled way.
Why Pilots Care
A prompt go-around prevents runway incursions, unstable approaches, and accidents by giving the pilot a safe, standardized way to reject a landing that is no longer viable.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane close to landing, then smoothly adding power, climbing, and leaving the runway area instead of touching down.
Intuition Check
Do not read “go around” as casual circling or sightseeing. In this context, it means abandoning the landing attempt and climbing away safely.
Example Sentence 1
When the aircraft ahead was slow to clear the runway, the tower instructed the pilot to go around.
Example Sentence 2
With a vehicle still on the runway, ATC told the approaching aircraft to go around and rejoin the pattern on the downwind leg.