ACS Alignment

FAA-S-ACS-8 — Instrument Rating, Rotorcraft–Helicopter · Area of Operation VI. Instrument Approach Procedures · Task: C — Missed Approach

IR.VI.C.K1 — when & where a missed approach is required IR.VI.C.K2 — published missed-approach segment & holding IR.VI.C.S1 — execute a timely, stabilized missed approach IR.VI.C.R1 — risk: late/low go-around & task saturation

⚑ FLAG (Walter): confirm Task letter (C) and K/R/S sub-numbers for the helicopter Missed Approach Task in the current FAA-S-ACS-8.

Missed Approach

Climb, clean up, comply, communicate — a planned escape, not a surprise.

By the end of this lesson you can:

State when a missed approach is required (not visual at DA/MAP, unstable, loss of guidance, ATC instruction).
Find the missed-approach point and fly the published missed-approach climb, track, and holding.
Apply a flow such as the 5 C's — Cram (power/climb), Clean, Climb, Communicate, Comply.
Re-establish a stabilized climb and a plan before reprogramming the box.

1 · When to go missed

You execute the missed approach if, at the MAP (nonprecision) or DA (precision), you do not have the required visual references and are not in a position for a normal landing; if the approach becomes unstable; if you lose the navigation guidance; or if ATC instructs it. The decision is time-critical — fly it the moment the criterion is met, not after a second look.

2 · The missed-approach sequence

Step	Action
Power / climb	Add power, set climb attitude, and arrest the descent — fly the aircraft first.
Clean up	Configure for the climb as appropriate for your aircraft.
Track	Fly the published missed-approach track (or ATC's instructions) — usually a climb on course then a turn to a holding fix.
Communicate & comply	Tell ATC you are going missed; comply with the procedure or the assigned alternative; then reprogram and brief the next plan.

3 · Fly first, program second

The missed approach is a high-workload moment: the temptation is to look down and reprogram the GPS while the aircraft drifts. Establish the climb and the published track first, get the wings level and the heading right, then sequence the box (many units require you to activate the missed approach or un-suspend to sequence past the MAP). A stabilized climb buys you the time to manage everything else.

4 · Watch

Curated reference clip — “The 5 C's of Going Missed | IFR Missed Approach,” FlightInsight (YouTube), verified via oEmbed. Embedded with the creator's player; we don't host or alter it.

5 · Reference sources

Use the authoritative references

📄 Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B) — Ch.10 IAPs (Missed Approach) 📄 Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16) — Missed Approach

Your aircraft: the power/collective setting and attitude for a positive climb at your missed-approach airspeed are aircraft-specific — note your R44's go-around/climb figures from the POH Section 4 (Normal Procedures) and Section 5 (Performance).

✍️ Fill in for the aircraft you fly Missed-approach climb airspeed, the power/collective setting that gives a positive rate, and your best-climb considerations — look it up in the R44 POH (Normal Procedures / Performance) and confirm with your CFI.

⚑ FLAG (Walter): the R44 is a VFR-certificated helicopter; confirm the missed-approach climb technique taught in the IFR trainer/sim and any density-altitude climb limits relevant to your operating area.

Risk management (the “Consider”): the missed-approach killers are a late or low go-around and task saturation — heads-down on the GPS instead of flying the climb. Brief the missed approach before you ever start down, commit to it the instant the criterion is met, and fly the published track first. A go-around is a normal, planned maneuver; treat it as one.