AA.VI.I.R1
Missed Approaches
What does AA.VI.I.R1 mean?
Deviations from prescribed procedures or ATC instructions..
- Area of Operation
- VI. Instrument Procedures
- Task
- I. Missed Approaches
- Element type
- A Risk Management element — a hazard you must be able to identify, assess, and mitigate. These show up on the knowledge test and again on your checkride.
What you need to know
A missed approach is a normal, planned contingency, not just an emergency reaction — you must be ready to fly it promptly from any point along the approach, not only at the MAP or minimums, whenever the required visual references, stabilized approach parameters, or ATC/aircraft factors aren't met. The moment you decide to go missed, prioritize flying the airplane first: apply the correct power/pitch for climb performance, then clean up flaps/gear and slats in the proper sequence only after establishing a positive rate of climb at a safe altitude, following the published (or ATC-assigned alternate) lateral and vertical path precisely. Autoflight and FMS/GPS modes must be actively managed and verified during this high-workload phase — don't assume automation will sequence itself correctly, and be ready to hand-fly if it doesn't do what you expect. Throughout, communicate: tell ATC you're going missed, coordinate with your crew and checklists, and specifically advise ATC if you can't meet a climb gradient or other restriction, while holding heading/course and altitude within tolerance the entire time.
Why students miss this
Students often think of the missed approach as something that only happens exactly at the MAP or DA/DH when the runway isn't in sight, when in fact ATC instructions, unexpected traffic, unstable configuration, or losing required visual references at any point can require initiating a go-around early or below minimums. They also mix up the timing of configuration changes (flaps, gear, power) with the sequence for a normal approach, missing that the missed approach demands a specific climb-first, clean-up-second flow tied to a positive rate of climb, not just 'go around like a landing balked.'
Focus on: Study the full missed approach flow as a sequenced procedure — power/pitch first, then gear and flaps only after a positive rate is confirmed — and know the range of situations (not just reaching the MAP) that call for going missed.
Drill this area until it sticks
AA.VI.I.R1 came from a question you missed on the FAA Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine Airplane knowledge test. Drill ACS-aligned practice questions with AI explanations and the cited FAA handbook reference behind every answer — free to start.
Missing it isn't a verdict on you — it's a sign your prep skipped the why behind it. Memorizing answer letters is exactly what leaves gaps like this. Here, every answer explains the reasoning and cites the FAA source it comes from, so the concept holds on test day and at the checkride oral.
Study this concept
Plain-English explanations of the key ideas behind AA.VI.I.R1, grounded in the FAA handbooks.
Related ACS codes in I. Missed Approaches
Other elements the FAA tests under this same Task — review them together.
- AA.VI.I.R2Holding, diverting, or electing to fly the approach again.
- AA.VI.I.R3Aircraft configuration during an approach and missed approach.
- AA.VI.I.R4Factors that might lead to executing a missed approach procedure before the MAP or to a go-arou…
- AA.VI.I.R5Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
- AA.VI.I.S1Promptly initiate the missed approach procedure and report it to ATC.
- AA.VI.I.S10Re-engage autopilot (if installed) at appropriate times during the missed approach procedure.
- AA.VI.I.S11Request ATC clearance to attempt another approach, proceed to the alternate airport, holding fi…
- AA.VI.I.S2Apply the appropriate power setting for the flight condition and establish a pitch attitude nec…
+ 7 more elements in this Task.
Common question
Can you execute a missed approach before reaching the missed approach point?
Yes. If you lose required visual references, get an ATC instruction, or encounter an unsafe condition at any point during the approach, you're expected to initiate the missed approach procedure immediately rather than waiting to reach the MAP or DA/DH.
What is an FAA ACS code?
The FAA's Airman Certification Standards (ACS) break each certificate into Areas of Operation, Tasks, and specific Knowledge (K), Risk Management (R), and Skill (S) elements. Every knowledge-test question maps to one code like AA.VI.I.R1. When you miss a question, your Airman Knowledge Test Report lists its code so you know exactly what to review.
Have a whole list of codes from your report? Paste them all into our free ACS code lookup to see every weak area at once — or browse the aviation glossary for plain-English definitions.