Definition
The maximum allowable power (for piston and turboprop engines) or thrust (for turbojet and turbofan engines) approved for use during a go-around or missed approach. It is set by the manufacturer and published in the aircraft's flight manual, and is the power or thrust the pilot applies when discontinuing a landing to climb away from the runway.
Plain English
The high power setting a pilot uses when calling off a landing and climbing back up. It is the strongest power the engines are allowed to make for that escape climb, as set by the aircraft manufacturer.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft operating procedures, approach briefings, landing practice, and go-around training.
Derivation
Go-around' simply means going around the airport pattern again instead of landing. 'Power' is the term used for piston and turboprop engines (measured in horsepower), while 'thrust' is used for jet engines (measured in pounds of force). The phrase pairs both words because the same procedure applies regardless of engine type.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures the airplane has enough climb performance to safely depart the runway environment and avoid obstacles when a landing is aborted.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as just “add some power.” It means the specific power or thrust setting called for by the aircraft’s procedure when abandoning a landing.
Example Sentence 1
When the runway was blocked by a vehicle, the pilot called 'going around' and smoothly advanced the throttles to the go-around power setting.
Example Sentence 2
During the missed approach the crew confirmed the go-around power or thrust setting before turning to the published heading.