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Instrument rating · ACS IR.VI.C · lesson pack

Missed Approach

Why this one matters

The missed approach is the most important maneuver in instrument flying, and the most likely moment to lose control: full power, a pitch change, configuration changes and a turn, close to the ground in clouds, often when tired. Pilots who brief it ahead and fly it by rote survive the day the weather is worse than forecast.

1 · Know these cold

  • •DA, MDA and MAP are different. On a DA approach the DA is the missed point. On an MDA approach you may level at the MDA until the MAP. Below either, continue only with all three 91.175(c) conditions; lose any of them below the DA or MDA (91.175(e)) and go missed immediately, without continuing to the MAP. Go missed too when unstable, or any time it isn’t safe.(14 CFR 91.175(c), (e))
  • •Power and pitch together: power as the POH says (usually full) as you pitch to the climb attitude; positive rate; flaps up in stages at a safe speed and altitude, gear per the POH; accelerate to climb speed within ±10 knots; then the checklist.(Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B); Your airplane's POH/AFM)
  • •Fly the published missed approach (or the one ATC assigned) and tell ATC you’re going missed.(AIM, Chapter 5, Section 4 (arrival and approach procedures))
  • •Going missed before the MAP: fly to the MAP on the approach course before starting the turns, unless ATC says otherwise; you may climb right away.(AIM, Chapter 5, Section 4 (arrival and approach procedures))
  • •Losing visual reference while circling: an initial climbing turn toward the landing runway, continued until established on the missed course; never straight toward the missed fix or away from the runway. Brief this escape before you circle.(AIM 5-4-21)
  • •Fly the published missed (or ATC's), report it when able, then request a specific clearance (another approach, a hold, or the alternate) based on fuel, weather and the airplane.(AIM, Chapter 5, Section 4 (arrival and approach procedures); Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), IR.VI.C)
  • •Checkride standard: airspeed ±10 knots, heading/course ±10°, altitudes ±100 feet in the missed approach.(Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), IR.VI.C.S7)

2 · The lesson

The procedure
  • Brief the missed approach before the approach: the initial climb, the turn, the altitude and the holding fix. The chart’s profile view icons summarize it.(Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches)
  • If going missed early, fly the approach course to the MAP before turning, unless ATC instructs otherwise; climb immediately.(AIM, Chapter 5, Section 4 (arrival and approach procedures))
  • The missed approach assumes at least 200 feet per nm of climb; a higher charted gradient must be met, so plan it before the approach. Obstacle protection assumes you start the missed at the DA or MAP at or above the MDA; it isn't assured if you start it below the MDA or from a circling maneuver.(Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches; AIM 5-4-21)
  • ATC may give an alternate missed approach; fly what you’re cleared for, and say "unable" if you can’t meet a climb gradient or restriction.(AIM, Chapter 5, Section 4 (arrival and approach procedures))
  • With a navigator and autopilot, verify rather than press and hope: the missed approach leg is active (not suspended or in OBS), the annunciations match what you expect, and the MFD shows the right path. Any mismatch: disconnect and hand-fly.(Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A); AIM, Chapter 1 (navigation aids, GPS and WAAS))
Flying it
  • Power and pitch together, positive rate, then flaps in stages and gear per the POH. Trim for the climb; then the checklist, before the radios and navigation.(Your airplane's POH/AFM)
  • Pitch-up with full power and flaps can be strong; hold the attitude and trim. Watch the airspeed.(Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B))
Why and what next
  • Go missed early for an unstable approach, a navaid failure, an integrity alert, traffic on the runway, or a lost visual reference.(AIM, Chapter 5, Section 4 (arrival and approach procedures))
  • Then request a clearance: try again if the weather and fuel allow, hold for improving weather, or divert to the alternate. Don’t make a third try out of hope.(Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A))

Want it all on one page, with scenarios? Read the full lesson.

On the flight

ACS standards

  • Maintain the recommended airspeed ±10 knots; heading, course or bearing ±10°; and altitudes ±100 feet in the missed approach.(Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), IR.VI.C.S7)
  • Configure per the manufacturer, establish a positive rate of climb, and accelerate to the appropriate airspeed ±10 knots.(Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), IR.VI.C.S3)

What your instructor is watching for

Your instructor watches for a prompt decision, power before pitch, clean-up only after a positive rate, the correct published track, and a clear call to ATC.

3 · Say it out loud

Answer each one out loud, then check yourself and mark how it went.

  1. Remember Recall it

    “What are the first steps of a missed approach?”

  2. Understand Explain why

    “Why fly to the MAP before turning when going missed early?”

  3. Apply Use it on a flight

    “You’ve gone missed twice and the weather isn’t improving. What now?”

4 · Common mistakes

  • Late decision.

    Below minimums without references.

    Instead: Decide at the DA or MAP.

  • Turning too early.

    Outside obstacle protection.

    Instead: Fly to the MAP first unless told otherwise.

  • Retracting all the flaps at once, or before a positive rate.

    The airplane can sink.

    Instead: Positive rate, then flaps in stages at a safe speed.

5 · Quick check

Answer, then reveal. Flag anything you want to see again.

  1. 1. When must you go missed?

  2. 2. Going missed before the MAP: where do you start the turn?

  3. 3. Lost visual while circling?

  4. 4. Checkride tolerances in the missed?

  5. 5. What do you tell ATC?

  6. Scenario6. Low fuel after a missed. What do you do?

Trained it? Now prove it: practice missed approach out loud with our examiner.

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Connect it

One situation that runs across this lesson and its neighbors in the same ACS area. Decide first, then check.

Connect it · Instrument Approach Procedures

On an LNAV approach you reach MDA two miles before the missed approach point. At one mile you see approach lights, but not the runway.

Can you descend, how far, and what makes you go missed? Decide, then see the worked answer

Under 91.175(c) you may leave MDA only when the airplane is continuously in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway can be made at a normal rate of descent using normal maneuvers, the flight visibility is at least the published minimum, and at least one of the listed visual references for that runway is distinctly visible and identifiable. The approach light system counts, but it lets you descend only to 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation. That's a floor for the descent, not a target to level off at. Below it you need the red terminating bars or red side row bars, which only ALSF-1 and ALSF-2 systems have, or another 91.175(c)(3) reference: the threshold, its markings or lights, the REIL, the VASI or PAPI, the touchdown zone, or the runway, its markings or lights, distinctly visible and identifiable. Reach 100 feet without one and go missed immediately. Go missed at the MAP if you don't have the references. If you lose them below MDA, go missed at once too. Obstacle clearance on the missed approach assumes it starts at or above MDA at the MAP, so climb, re-intercept the published missed approach as safely as you can, and contact ATC as soon as possible.

14 CFR 91.175(c)-(e); AIM 5-4-21

Brings together: Non-precision Approach · Missed Approach · Landing from an Instrument Approach

Teaching this? The instructor lesson plan →

Study aid, not FAA guidance. Sources: Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B); Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B); Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM); 14 CFR; Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C); Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP). Checked against current sources 2026-11-13.