Do pilots know which heading to fly in case of a go around?
Is the heading to go around always well-known at every airport?






The initial heading for a go around should always be well known based on a pilot's knowledge and understanding of the procedures associated with the type of approach being made.  Generally, outlined below are the procedures used in U.S. airspace (unless modified by NOTAM, special notice, etc. for a particular location):



Go Around -

Tower Controlled Airport -VFR


Fly runway heading and advise the tower of your missed approach.  The controller will issue further instructions (normally to stay in the traffic pattern for another VFR approach).




Go Around -

Non-Tower Controlled Airport -VFR


Report your missed approach on the VFR advisory frequency (or common traffic advisory frequency [CTAF], as appropriate) and fly runway heading until you turn back into the traffic pattern for another approach or depart the pattern for another destination.




Go Around -

Tower Controlled Airport - Radar Environment- IFR


Aircraft under IFR using a published Instrument Approach will initially start flying the published Missed Approach Procedure noted on the Approach Chart for the runway and procedure in use. Then, after reporting the "missed approach" to the control tower, the controller will normally assign a heading and altitude (i.e., alternate missed approach instructions) to fly putting the aircraft back into the traffic flow for another instrument approach or clearance to some other airport.
Aircraft under IFR flying a "Visual Approach" will report the Missed Approach to the tower.  Since a "Visual Approach" has no "published" missed approach procedure the tower controller will normally issue a heading and altitude to fly for re-sequence into the IFR traffic flow or, if weather conditions and traffic allows, keep you into the local traffic pattern for another landing attempt.




Go Around -

Tower Controlled Airport - Non-Radar Environment- IFR

1.Aircraft under IFR using a published Instrument Approach will fly the published missed approach and contact the controller for further instructions.

2.Aircraft under IFR flying a "Visual Approach" will report the Missed Approach to ATC and will be issued further instructions by the controller.



Go Around -

Non-Tower Controlled Airport - Radar Environment- IFR


Aircraft under IFR using a published Instrument Approach will initially start flying the published Missed Approach Procedure noted on the Approach Chart for the runway and procedure in use. Then, after reporting the "missed approach" to the radar controller, the controller will normally, after radar contact is reestablished, assign a heading and altitude (i.e., alternate missed approach instructions) to fly putting the aircraft back into the traffic flow for another instrument approach or clearance to some other airport.
Aircraft under IFR flying a "Visual Approach" aircraft are expected to remain clear of clouds and complete a landing as soon as
possible. If a landing cannot be accomplished, the
aircraft is expected to remain clear of clouds and
contact ATC as soon as possible for further clearance.
Separation from other IFR aircraft will be maintained
under these circumstances [ref: AIM/Aeronautical Information Manual, para. 5-4-23 e.].




Go Around -

Non-Tower Controlled Airport - Non-Radar Environment- IFR


Aircraft under IFR using a published Instrument Approach will fly the published Missed Approach Procedure noted on the Approach Chart for the runway and procedure in use. Then, after reporting the "missed approach" to ATC, the controller will issue instructions putting the aircraft back into the traffic flow for another instrument approach or clearance to some other airport.
Aircraft under IFR flying a "Visual Approach" aircraft are expected to remain clear of clouds and complete a landing as soon as
possible. If a landing cannot be accomplished, the
aircraft is expected to remain clear of clouds and
contact ATC as soon as possible for further clearance.
Separation from other IFR aircraft will be maintained
under these circumstances [ref: AIM/Aeronautical Information Manual, para. 5-4-23 e.].