Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

To perform a proper go-around procedure, what is the first action a pilot should take?

1. Reduce power.

2. Pull up to a positive pitch.

3. Apply full power.

4. Neutralize the ailerons.

The correct answer is: Apply full power.

In a go-around procedure, the first action a pilot should take is to apply full power. This is crucial because the primary goal during a go-around is to safely regain altitude and avoid an unsafe landing. Applying full power ensures that the aircraft immediately starts to climb and increases its performance to a manageable level. Initiating a go-around typically occurs in situations where the approach is unstable or when landing is not feasible due to obstacles, weather, or other factors. By applying full power without delay, the pilot can effectively initiate a climb, allowing for a better opportunity to stabilize the aircraft on a fresh approach. From a broader perspective, the other actions such as reducing power or pulling up to a positive pitch are more appropriate once the decision to go around has been confirmed, and altitude has started to be gained. Neutralizing the ailerons may play a role in controlling the aircraft, particularly in crosswind conditions, but the immediate reaction must focus on increasing thrust to ensure the airplane can climb safely away from the runway environment.