Which pilot may call for a go-around/missed approach?

Which pilot may call for a go-around/missed approach?

• A. Captain
• B. First Officer
• C. Either pilot
• D. Neither pilot

Answer: (C)

The ability to call for a go-around rests with both crew members, not just one designated captain. If the approach becomes unsafe—such as an unstable approach, lack of runway sight, or conflicting traffic—either pilot can initiate the go-around by announcing the intention and starting the climb into the missed-approach procedure. This shared authority supports safety in a two-crew cockpit, where the pilot flying and the pilot monitoring work together to manage the approach and decide when it’s no longer safe to continue. The captain remains the pilot in command, but the safety action of initiating a go-around is not restricted to them; the first officer can initiate it when appropriate, ensuring a timely and clear transition to the missed approach. Therefore, the correct understanding is that either pilot may call for a go-around.

The ability to call for a go-around rests with both crew members, not just one designated captain. If the approach becomes unsafe—such as an unstable approach, lack of runway sight, or conflicting traffic—either pilot can initiate the go-around by announcing the intention and starting the climb into the missed-approach procedure. This shared authority supports safety in a two-crew cockpit, where the pilot flying and the pilot monitoring work together to manage the approach and decide when it’s no longer safe to continue. The captain remains the pilot in command, but the safety action of initiating a go-around is not restricted to them; the first officer can initiate it when appropriate, ensuring a timely and clear transition to the missed approach. Therefore, the correct understanding is that either pilot may call for a go-around.