Go-around procedure: abandon the approach, apply power, and climb for a safe second approach.

Go-Arounds at SkyWest ERJ: Clarity, Safety, and a Calm Climb

If you’ve ever watched a runway from the cockpit, you know the moment a landing doesn’t look or feel right, the moment the airplane “goes around.” It’s not a failure; it’s a deliberate, disciplined decision to revert to safe flight. For pilots in SkyWest ERJ operations, go-arounds are a fundamental skill baked into Cockpit Qualification (CQ) and Knowledge Validation (KV) training. You don’t stumble into a go-around by luck—you execute it with purpose, power, and a plan for what comes next.

What exactly is a go-around, anyway?

Let me explain in plain terms. A go-around happens when the conditions for a safe landing aren’t there—whether that’s misaligned with the runway, unexpected wind, an obstacle on the approach, or simply a stabilized approach that isn’t feeling right. Instead of trying to force the landing, you discontinue the approach, climb, and reconfigure the airplane for another attempt or for a diversion. It’s a reset, not a retreat. Do you want to stay patient and safe, or push ahead and risk an unsafe outcome? The choice is clear.

The correct procedure, step by step

The key rule is simple: abandon the landing approach, apply power, and climb to a safe altitude while configuring for a second approach. Here’s how that plays out in real-time:

• Discontinue the approach: You acknowledge that the approach isn’t viable right now and pull back from the approach phasing.

• Apply power: Increase thrust to establish a positive climb rate. The goal is to gain altitude promptly so you aren’t flirting with low-speed issues or an inadvertent stall.

• Pitch for climb and establish a safe rate: You raise the nose gently to ensure a stable climb, keeping the airspeed in the safe, intended range.

• Retrim and reconfigure: Adjust flaps, gear, and power as needed to a configuration suitable for a second approach. This sets you up for a clean, stabilized re-entry.

• Maintain situational awareness: Scan for traffic, confirm your altitude, and decide whether you’ll attempt another approach or divert to an alternate airport if conditions don’t improve.

Why this beats the other options

Let’s quickly unpack why B is the sensible route, and why the other choices don’t hold up in a real-world Go-Around:

• Brakes and landing preparation (Option A) sounds prudent, but braking during the initial go-around can stall or complicate the climb. The moment you’re committed to a go-around, the priority is to climb safely, not to slow on the runway and risk a high-energy, post-touchdown dynamic that’s not what the situation calls for.

• Reducing speed and descending (Option C) runs against the purpose of a go-around. Descending while you’re trying to climb puts you in a hazardous envelope of airspeed and altitude loss. The climb-out is the fix, not a stall-prone glide.

• Landing immediately without adjustments (Option D) is the kind of thinking that belongs to a different scenario. If conditions aren’t right for a safe landing, a forced, rushed touchdown isn’t the objective. The risk to people on board and on the ground is too high.

The core reason for the “abandon, power, climb, configure” sequence is assurance. It guarantees you have altitude, control, and options. It’s about ensuring the airplane is well clear of obstacles, with enough energy to maneuver toward a better approach or a safe diversion.

Training realities: how pilots really ingrain this

CQ and KV training isn’t about memorizing a script; it’s about building a reliable reflex. In simulators and real flight, pilots practice go-arounds with a calm voice, clear callouts, and precise actions. You’ll hear phrases like “Going around,” “Improve speed, positive rate,” and “Flaps clearing, gear up” in a cadence that becomes second nature. The goal isn’t drama; it’s consistency, even when the pressure climbs.

A few practical tips that often show up in training modules:

• Power first, then pitch: The emphasis is on getting the engines producing thrust to establish a safe climb before worrying about fine-tuning the pitch.

• Stay ahead of the airplane: Maintain awareness of your airspeed, altitude, and attitude. It’s easy to get lost in the moment—don’t.

• Verify configuration quickly: After the go-around is initiated, make a fast, deliberate pass through flaps, gear, and autopilot settings to match the plan for the next approach.

• Callouts matter: Clear, concise communications with the crew help synchronize actions and reduce ambiguity.

• Have a diversion plan: If the weather or runway isn’t favorable, identify alternate airports early and be ready to steer the flight there.

Connecting CQ and KV to everyday safety

Knowledge Validation tasks and cockpit qualification aren’t just checkmark items. They’re a way to ensure every captain and first officer can handle the unexpected with a steady mind. A go-around is a perfect example: it tests decision-making under time pressure, airplane control during a critical phase, and the crew’s ability to re-plan quickly.

This kind of training also emphasizes a balanced mix of skills:

• Technical know-how: The physics of thrust, drag, and lift, and how they pivot during a climb.

• Human factors: Managing workload, avoiding tunnel vision, and using CRM to keep everyone aligned.

• Procedural discipline: Following the exact sequence that keeps the airplane safe while preparing for the next steps.

A quick anecdote that may sound familiar

In training flights, you’ll hear the navigator’s breakfast-table humor about “if you’re on a go-around and the runway suddenly looks tempting from the windshield.” It’s a light moment, but it’s there to remind you to stay aligned with the plan. The most memorable teaching often comes from that moment you realize you’re already climbing when you expected to be fighting for a landing. It’s not magic; it’s mastery of a simple, repeatable procedure.

Putting it into perspective for real-world flight

Go-arounds aren’t about dramatic maneuvers; they’re about reliable decision-making. The primary objective is to safely discontinue the landing approach and set up for a second attempt or a diversion if the weather or other conditions don’t cooperate. The “abandon, power, climb, configure” mindset makes it possible to regain control quickly, avoid hazards, and keep the flight’s objective—safety—at the forefront.

A few common scenarios you’ll see in the ERJ world

• Unstable approach: If your approach is not stable by the minimums, a go-around is the prudent course. You’ll typically climb, reconfigure, and re-evaluate the runway and weather at or above a safe altitude.

• Weather shifts on short final: If gusts or rain suddenly worsen, you’ll revert to the go-around plan, then choose a new approach or a diversion with a calm, data-driven call.

• Obstacle on approach path: An unexpected obstacle or bird activity or another aircraft can trigger a go-around to ensure you won’t need to improvise safety later in the descent.

Maintaining momentum without losing focus

The beauty of this procedure lies in its clarity. It gives you a repeatable sequence that works in the high-stakes world of air travel. When you hear “Going around,” you should know exactly what comes next, and you should be able to execute it with smooth, confident actions. The more you internalize this rhythm, the less you’ll hesitate, and the safer the outcome will be for the crew and passengers.

A note on tone and learning

You’ll hear mixed tones in the cockpit—calm, practical, and occasionally a touch of humor. The goal is to keep that human element intact while preserving the precision the job demands. It’s not about sounding flawless every time; it’s about thinking clearly, communicating effectively, and acting decisively when the situation calls for a go-around.

Wrapping it up: why the right go-around rule matters

The correct procedure—abandon the landing approach, apply power, climb to a safe altitude, and configure for a second approach—embodies a central aviation truth: safety comes first, and preparation matters. In SkyWest ERJ operations, CQ and KV training reinforce this truth, turning it from a line in a manual into a dependable habit. It’s the kind of habit that keeps the cabin serene and the sky a bit friendlier.

If you’re navigating the world of CQ and KV, remember this: a go-around isn’t a detour. It’s a disciplined decision that buys you time, space, and options. And in aviation, options are everything.