A SkyWest ERJ go-around explained: power up, climb, and follow the pattern

Go-Arounds on the SkyWest ERJ: Power, Pattern, and Keeping It Calm

Go-arounds aren’t glamorous moments they’re practical, safe decisions. If you’ve ever watched a commercial flight approach and then lift away gently, you’ve seen a controlled go-around in action. In SkyWest’s ERJ operations, this maneuver is treated as a normal, well-rehearsed part of flight, not a sign of panic. The heart of it is simple: when landing isn’t viable, the crew adds power, climbs to a safe altitude, and follows a defined pattern to get back on another approach.

So, what exactly is the typical go-around procedure? Here’s the plain answer: increase power, climb to a safe altitude, and follow specific patterns. Let me explain why this is the right move, what it looks like in real life, and how it fits into the broader cockpit workflow pilots train to master.

Power up, then climb out — not a last-ditch sprint

Think of a go-around as a natural, organized reset. If the approach is unstable, spacing is compromised, visibility is poor, or the runway isn’t giving you the picture you need, a go-around buys you time and airspace. The first decisive step is to apply power — in most modern jets, that means moving the thrust levers to the takeoff/go-around setting, commonly known as TOGA. It’s a cue to the engines: “give me thrust, now.” The engines respond with a surge of power, and the airplane begins to pitch into a positive climb.

Climbing to a safe altitude is more than just gaining altitude; it’s about creating the best angle for a clean re-start. You want to flatten the flight path, sweep away the distractions on the runway, and make room to reconfigure the airplane for a fresh approach. The exact altitude you aim for isn’t random—it’s the minimum safe altitude that clears obstacles and allows the crew to re-establish the aircraft on a stable flight path. In practice, you’ll see the aircraft accelerate to a safe climb speed, then begin a controlled, steady ascent to the missed-approach or pattern altitude.

Follow the pattern, not improvisation

After you’ve established a positive rate of climb, the next move is to follow the published or standard go-around pattern. This is where training pays off. The “pattern” isn’t a guess or a free-form maneuver; it’s a carefully defined sequence that keeps the airspace around the airport organized and safe for everyone. Pilots monitor the flight director cues, maintain the correct heading or course, and work with ATC to coordinate a clean second attempt.

On an ERJ, you’ll hear crews talk about clean configuration, stabilized climb, and correct speed—while the autopilot or flight director helps steer toward the missed approach course. The goal is predictable, repeatable, and safe. You want to be on a stable climb with the gear retracted (when appropriate), the flaps configured per the manufacturer’s guidelines, and your focus on re-establishing the approach with a clear plan for the next try.

Why the other options don’t fit

Let’s be candid about what wouldn’t work in a go-around. Decreasing altitude and reducing engine power sounds reasonable in a certain cockpit context, but it’s the wrong tool for a go-around. A go-around is about lifting away from the runway, not settling closer to it. Land immediately and assess runway conditions? That’s unsafe if the landing path isn’t clear and stable. The airplane is designed to land only when it’s safe to do so; if there’s any doubt, a go-around is the prudent choice. Notifying passengers of an emergency landing? That’s a distraction and isn’t part of the maneuver. In a go-around, the crew’s priority is keeping the airplane under control and reconfiguring for a safe retry, not prepping passengers for what’s next.

A real-world feel: what this looks like in SkyWest ERJ operations

In SkyWest ERJ operations, the go-around is practiced with the same care you’d expect from any critical procedure. The crew communicates clearly, confirms the new plan, and coordinates with air traffic control to secure the airspace. You’ll hear words like “TOGA,” “positive rate,” and “missed approach,” all aimed at keeping the airplane moving confidently away from the runway and toward a safe altitude. The ERJ’s cockpit is designed to make this process intuitive: the crew relies on automation to maintain the proper flight path, while pilots monitor airspeed, altitude, and the flight path to ensure a clean second attempt.

The go-around isn’t hesitation; it’s a disciplined decision. You don’t want to force a landing when the wind is gusting, the spacing is tight, or the runway environment isn’t stable. Instead, you pause, push the power, and let the airplane set itself up for success. That’s the kind of calm, methodical thinking that CQ and KV topics emphasize: the capacity to assess, decide, and execute under pressure, while sticking to proven procedures.

How this ties into CQ and KV themes

CQ (Cockpit Qualification) and KV (Knowledge Validation) aren’t about memorizing a single maneuver; they’re about understanding why a maneuver exists, how it’s executed safely, and how crews coordinate under real-world conditions. The go-around illustrates several core ideas:

• Power management matters. The moment you decide to go around, you’re signaling the engines to deliver thrust. The timing and quality of that power change influence how quickly you can gain the required climb performance.

• The climb is purposeful. A go-around isn’t a quick hop; it’s a controlled ascent to a safe altitude from which you can re-evaluate conditions and plan the next approach.

• Pattern discipline matters. Following a published pattern keeps traffic predictable and reduces risk in a crowded airspace. It’s about teamwork and adherence to standard procedures.

• SPS: stress, plan, execute. The mental model here is simple: assess the situation, select a safe course of action, execute with precision, and communicate. It’s a loop you’ll see across many cockpit scenarios.

Practical tips you can use when thinking about go-arounds

If you’re absorbing these ideas, here are some practical ways to anchor them in memory, without turning the topic into a riddle:

• Picture the sequence. Go-around equals power up, climb, pattern. If you can recite that in your head, you’ve got a quick mental checklist for when conditions demand it.

• Connect to real-world cues. The moment you notice an unstable approach or insufficient spacing, that’s your cue to consider a go-around. Don’t wait for a checklist to remind you; the signs come first.

• Keep the crew in the loop. The best go-arounds come from clear, succinct crew communication. A quick, “Go-around TOGA, climb, proceed along published missed approach,” sets everyone on the same page.

• Use automation, then verify. Let the flight director or autopilot handle the flight path, but keep monitoring. When you’re ready to reset, you’ll know by the cues and the altitude you reach.

• Practice with intention. Training scenarios that stress timing, speed control, and pattern execution help you feel what it’s like to maintain control even when conditions shift.

A final thought: the value of a go-around mindset

Go-arounds aren’t failures; they’re demonstrations of good judgment under pressure. They show a cockpit that’s ready to pivot and reattempt with a safer setup. In the SkyWest ERJ world, crews train to make these decisions quickly but calmly, relying on solid procedures and real-time communication. The result isn’t just a safe outcome—it’s a smoother, safer travel experience for all aboard.

If you’re exploring CQ and KV topics, keep this picture in your mind: a go-around is a deliberate, procedural choice that combines power, altitude, and pattern. It’s the kind of process that separates practiced crews from the rest—an everyday example of how aviation blends science, teamwork, and practiced judgment into something that feels almost effortless in the moment.

So next time you hear about a go-around in-flight, you’ll know what’s happening behind the scenes. It’s a controlled decision, a clean engine call, and a steady climb toward the next approach. A small moment, perhaps, but one that keeps skies safe and flights on track. And that accuracy—the ability to stay calm, to follow the system, and to act decisively—that’s the essence of learning the SkyWest ERJ way.