Definition
An autoflight mode, typically engaged by pressing a dedicated TO/GA button on the throttles or thrust levers, that commands the autothrottle and flight director to fly a takeoff or go-around profile. When activated, it sets thrust to a preset takeoff or go-around value and provides pitch guidance to establish and maintain a safe climb attitude.
Plain English
A button (and the matching autopilot mode) that tells the aircraft to apply takeoff or go-around power and climb away — used either to start the takeoff roll or to abandon a landing approach and climb back up.
Context Anchor
Seen on autopilot and flight director mode displays, and selected with a TO/GA button or switch during takeoff, go-around, or missed approach operations.
Derivation
The name simply reflects its two uses — takeoff and go-around — both of which need the same response from the aircraft: full or near-full power and a positive climb. One button, two situations, same behavior.
Why Pilots Care
It delivers consistent engine thrust and pitch guidance in high-workload phases where precise performance is essential for safety.
Intuition Check
TO/GA is not just a label for two flight phases. In this context, it is a selected guidance mode that changes the aircraft’s commanded flight path.
Example Sentence 1
On the missed approach, the captain pressed TO/GA, the engines spooled up, and the flight director pitched up to the go-around attitude.
Example Sentence 2
On takeoff the crew armed TO/GA so the autopilot would command the correct climb attitude once airborne.