Definition
The specific ground track and vertical path a pilot must fly when an instrument approach is discontinued and a landing is not made. It is published on the instrument approach chart and typically includes a climb on a defined heading or course, often to a holding fix, at or above specified altitudes.
Plain English
The exact route to fly — direction, climb, and ending point — when you can't land from an instrument approach and have to go around.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts and in missed approach instructions, especially after reaching the point where you must either land or begin the missed approach.
Derivation
Missed' here means the approach did not result in a landing — not that something was overlooked. 'Course' comes from the Latin 'cursus' (a running, a path), and in aviation refers to the intended path over the ground.
Why Pilots Care
Following the published course keeps the aircraft clear of terrain and obstacles while routing it safely to a holding fix or next clearance.
Intuition Check
Do not read course as a school class or simply the airplane's heading. Here, course means the intended path over the ground, which may require correcting for wind.
Example Sentence 1
Unable to see the runway at minimums, the pilot began the published missed approach course: a climbing left turn to 3,000 feet direct to the holding fix.
Example Sentence 2
ATC instructed the aircraft to fly the missed approach course direct to the VOR holding fix.