Definition
A go-around initiated from a high-drag configuration — typically with full flaps extended, landing gear down, and at low airspeed close to the stall — where the airplane must accelerate, climb, and reconfigure simultaneously. Because drag is high and excess power is limited, performance during the initial portion of the go-around is reduced, and the airplane may continue to descend or settle before a positive climb is established.
Plain English
A go-around started when the airplane is already 'dirty' — flaps fully out, gear down, and flying slowly. In this state, the airplane is being held back by a lot of drag, so even at full power it accelerates and climbs slowly, and may sink for a moment before it starts going up.
Context Anchor
Encountered during approach and landing training, especially when practicing rejected landings, balked landings, or go-arounds from a full landing configuration.
Derivation
Drag comes from an older word meaning to pull or draw along. In aviation, it helps to think of drag as the air pulling against the airplane’s motion. Go-around is plain flying language for stopping the landing attempt and flying around for another approach or departure path.
Why Pilots Care
If power and configuration are not managed promptly, the airplane may continue to sink or decelerate dangerously close to the ground, raising the risk of stall or ground contact.
Grounding Statement
A high-drag go-around is the moment when the airplane is trying to climb away while still carrying the extra drag of its landing setup.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a go-around always means the airplane will climb strongly right away. In a high-drag go-around, the airplane may need careful power, pitch, and configuration changes before it climbs safely.
Example Sentence 1
Because the approach was unstable and the airplane was already at full flaps over the threshold, the instructor briefed a high-drag go-around and emphasized expecting some sink before the climb began.
Example Sentence 2
During practice, high-drag go-arounds showed how quickly flap retraction helps the airplane begin climbing after an aborted landing.