IFlyHooks

Salt water reflection over Brigham Utah in a TBM900 this week. I posted previously about coupled go-arounds. I think that coupled go-arounds are only available if your autopilot has ESP (envelope protection) seems obvious to me now (mentioned by a commenter) that that might be the common denominator. Without it, a coupled go-around by a pilot who doesn’t pour the 850HP to it …TBM could bite quick w/o ESP. This TBM doesn’t have ESP/coupled GA’s and all 4 pilots I’m training absolutely improved their go arounds… these are highly competent and high time pilots. On your flight review, IPC, or just general training…spend some time on this….slow, low, configured, GA’s. Feel free to comment/correct…I’m trying to unpack this topic.

I find that all of us have some confusion on what happens when we push the Go-Around button...almost no one can answer with certainty. This isn't good. The source of the confusion is 1) we don't do it/have never done it. 2) different a/p's react differently. From the TBM850 G1000 manual below "... the A/P disconnects" and from the GTN500 AP manual "The A/P engages"... both are the modern Garmin Autopilot versions.

The Go Around/TOGA button should be used in a go-around and you should use the autopilot during this event but you must know how it will react (both physically - power req and technically - the automation sequence). So I took the GTN500 172M and a TBM910 and did it in both.

Both of those...the A/P remained on and both went to wings level/constant pitch up mode... Note, no more navigation.. it just climbs wings level pitch up. With flaps out/gear out pitch up... you must feed that power in deliberately and efficiently. Both maintained airspeed but full power is required while cleaning up after positive rate. On the 172M, the P factor immediately drifted the plane very left of course. I was watching the A/P and was lazy on right rudder and was really surprised just how far left I was drifting... so, push hard on right rudder and stay coordinated. Once climbing, and cleaning up, select HDG or NAV and the A/P will get on course. You must also change from PITCH mode (TOGA default) and select IAS mode which is safer and preferred.

Go try this in your plane. I had a surprise Go-around IMC and just clicked A/P off and did it manually... no reason for that if you have an A/P that will assist and you know exactly what it will do.

From GTN500 Manual...
3.4 Go Around (GA) Switch
A GO AROUND switch is provided for engagement of the go around mode. When go around
mode is engaged, the autopilot engages in wings level roll attitude and nose up pitch attitude.
The pitch attitude is dependent on the aircraft model. Refer to the appropriate GFC 500
Autopilot Airplane Flight Manual Supplement for the go around pitch attitude.