The Missed Approach – When Pulling Away is the Bravest Move
✈️ Why walking away at the right moment is sometimes the smartest—and strongest—move you can make 💡
There’s a moment in every pilot’s life that feels counterintuitive. You’ve done everything right. You’re lined up with the runway. The landing checklist is complete. Passengers are expecting to touch down.
And then—go-around. 🔁
We push the throttles forward, climb out, and try again. 🔼
To the untrained eye, it looks like a mistake. A failure to land. But in aviation, a missed approach is not only routine—it’s smart. It’s trained. It’s expected. Because sometimes the safest thing to do is not land.
That lesson extends far beyond the cockpit.
✈️ A Real-World Example: Southwest’s Missed Approach at Chicago
In February 2025, a Southwest Airlines flight was on final approach to land at Chicago Midway Airport when air traffic control instructed the crew to go around. Why? A business jet had mistakenly crossed the active runway without clearance.
The Southwest pilots didn’t hesitate—they applied thrust and climbed out. To passengers, it may have felt like a delay or inconvenience. But behind the scenes, it was a textbook example of safety culture in action. By following procedures and trusting their training, the crew avoided a dangerous situation on the ground.
That’s the kind of decision-making we should carry into our own lives.
🛬 What’s a Missed Approach, Really?
In pilot speak, a missed approach or go-around happens when a landing is no longer safe or advisable. Maybe the runway isn’t clear. Winds have picked up. Or the approach just doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t matter if you’ve already descended to 200 feet. If the conditions aren’t right, you climb. ✈️
It’s decisive. It’s practiced. It’s not emotional—it’s procedural.
And yet in life, we don’t give ourselves the same grace.
🧭 Life’s Runways Aren’t Always Clear
How many times have you forced yourself to land anyway?
💼 Stayed in a job because you already invested years.
💔 Continued a relationship because you’d come too far.
📈 Moved forward with a project because backing out would feel like quitting.
But here’s the truth from the flight deck: aborting isn’t failure. It’s a mark of wisdom. Of trust in your judgment. Of having the courage to pull away and re-evaluate.
The missed approach doesn’t mean you won’t land—it just means not yet. Conditions will improve. You’ll come back around. With more clarity. More control. A better shot at a smooth touchdown. 🛬
💪 Your Missed Approach is a Power Move
So the next time you feel pressure to push through when something inside you says "not yet"—think like a pilot. 👨✈️👩✈️
Ask:
🕒 Is the timing right?
🌦️ Are the conditions safe?
👁️ Is my visibility clear enough to commit?
If not, don’t hesitate. Throttles forward. Climb away. Reset. And know that pulling back isn’t giving up—it’s giving yourself the best chance to land well.
Until next time,
✈️ Pilot Nick
Lessons from the Flight Deck
Real cockpit wisdom for life’s everyday turbulence.
✈️ Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do pilots actually practice missed approaches often?
✅ Yes! Pilots regularly train for go-arounds in simulators and during recurrent checks. It’s a standard safety maneuver.
2. Is a missed approach dangerous?
🛡️ Not at all. It’s a controlled, safe, and planned procedure. In many cases, it prevents danger.
3. Can passengers tell when a go-around happens?
👂 Usually, yes. There’s a noticeable acceleration and climb when the approach is aborted.
4. What are common reasons for a go-around?
🌬️ Unstable approach, runway obstruction, poor weather, or air traffic issues.
5. Have you ever had to perform one?
🗣️ Yes, and I’ll share one of those stories in an upcoming issue!
6. What’s the biggest myth about go-arounds?
❌ That it means something went wrong. Often, it means everything went right—a decision was made to keep everyone safe.
7. What’s the emotional equivalent of a go-around in life?
🔄 Changing course in a job, relationship, or major decision when it’s not feeling right.
8. How can I tell if I need a "missed approach" in life?
🧠 Listen to your instincts. Are you pushing through out of fear or pride? That’s your cue.
9. What’s the hardest part about choosing a missed approach?
💔 Letting go of expectations—yours or others’. It can feel like giving up, but it’s actually smart strategy.
10. Can you still land successfully after a missed approach?
🏁 Absolutely. In fact, many of the best landings come after a go-around. You're more focused, more aligned.
💬 Have a question about aviation, mindset, or decision-making? Hit reply and let me know—your question might be featured in the next issue!
Thank you for sharing your insights! You're absolutely right. Missed approaches and rejected landings are indeed standard procedures designed to ensure safety. It's crucial for pilots to prioritize safety over saving face, and making the decision to go around or go missed is a sign of good judgment and professionalism. As we sometimes say: "A Go Around is actually a missed landing!"