Key Takeaways

  • A planned missed approach is briefed in advance; you execute it knowing you will not land.
  • A possible missed approach is the default for all IFR approaches; execute it if you are not established by decision altitude.
  • "Not established" is the phrase to use if you reach decision altitude without visual contact.
  • Go-around means "climb away from the landing approach;" it can be ATC-initiated (compliance is immediate) or pilot-initiated (declare to ATC .
  • The landing clearance /strong> is a critical instruction that you must read back with the runway number.
  • Canceling IFR moves you from instrument flight rules to visual flight rules; request it once you have established visual contact.
  • Runway vacated means the entire aircraft has exited the runway surface; you then contact ground control.
  • Always know the published missed approach procedure before you begin descent.