ACS Alignment

FAA-S-ACS-15 — Private Pilot, Rotorcraft–Helicopter · Area of Operation V. Takeoffs, Landings & Go-Arounds · Task: Go-Around

PA.V.D.K1 — when/why to go around PA.V.D.K2 — go-around mechanics & transition to climb PA.V.D.R1 — risk: late/low go-around, power limits PA.V.D.S1 — timely go-around to a climb

Go-Around / Rejected Takeoff

The decision to stop trying to land — made early and flown positively.

By the end of this lesson you can:

State the cues that should trigger a go-around or a rejected takeoff.
Execute a positive transition from approach back to a stabilized climb.
Explain why an early decision is safer than a late save.
Account for density altitude and power available in the go-around decision.

1 · When to go around

A go-around is a normal, planned option, not a failure. Trigger it for an unstable approach, traffic or an animal on the spot, an unexpected gust, a sink you can't arrest comfortably, or any time the picture isn't right. The earlier the decision, the more energy and options you have. Brief the go-around before every approach so the action is a reflex.

2 · Flying it

Smoothly apply power, establish a positive climb attitude, accelerate through ETL, and re-enter the pattern or set up another approach. Avoid an abrupt over-pull that risks low rotor RPM or exceeding limits, and avoid ballooning or settling — fly the aircraft back to a stabilized climb. A rejected takeoff follows the same logic on the departure side: if it isn't working, stop and reposition rather than press a marginal climb.

3 · Watch

⚠ DRAFT — video pending CFII verification (Walter). No clip was embedded this run: automated oEmbed verification was unavailable (build sandbox offline + restricted fetch), and course rules forbid embedding any unverified/guessed video ID. Suggested candidate to verify & embed: “Helicopter Flight Training 5 — Takeoff, Approach & Ground Reference Maneuvers” (R22, YouTube, watch?v=I3zSxAs-_Cs). Confirm it is real, reputable, and embeddable via oEmbed before inserting.

4 · Reference sources

Use the authoritative references

📄 FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook, Ch. 9 — Basic Flight Maneuvers (go-around) 📄 FAA HFH, Ch. 11 — Emergencies & Hazards (low rotor RPM)

Your aircraft: power available and limits that bound a go-around are in your Robinson R44 POH, Sections 2 & 5. On hot/high days, confirm the climb is within power available before committing.

✍️ Fill in for the aircraft you fly (N-________)

Value / limit:

R44 POH section & page:

Leave blank until you look it up in your R44 POH (see the reference above) and confirm it with your CFI. Aircraft-specific numbers vary with weight & conditions — don’t guess.

Risk management (the “Consider”): the dangerous go-around is the late, low, slow one, especially at high density altitude where power may be marginal. Decide early, apply power smoothly (don't over-pull into low rotor RPM), and accept a go-around as the routine, safe choice. A salvaged unstable approach is how landing accidents happen.