Definition
A go-around is the immediate decision and procedure to discontinue a landing approach, apply takeoff power, establish a positive climb, and reposition the airplane for another approach or a diversion. It is a normal, planned maneuver — not an emergency — used whenever the approach or landing cannot be safely completed.
Plain English
Stopping the landing attempt and climbing back up to try again. The pilot adds power, climbs away, and sets up for another approach instead of forcing a bad landing.
Context Anchor
Encountered during approach and landing, especially when the airplane is too high, too fast, too slow, not lined up, sinking too quickly, or the runway is not clear.
Derivation
From the plain English phrase 'go around again' — the airplane goes back around the traffic pattern for another try. The wording entered aviation use early and stuck because it describes the action exactly.
Why Pilots Care
It is a standard safety procedure that prevents runway excursions, collisions, or loss of control during unstable approaches.
Intuition Check
A go-around is not a failure or a panic move. It is a deliberate safety choice when continuing the landing is not the best option.
Example Sentence 1
When the airplane ahead was slow to clear the runway, the pilot performed a go-around and re-entered the traffic pattern.
Example Sentence 2
During the high approach speed, the instructor directed a go-around to correct the unstable condition.