How are go-arounds practiced in the simulator?

Question

Hi.

How are go-arounds practiced in simulators? How do you prepare, how do you conduct one (or several?), and how do you follow up if necessary? Do you launch from the air, in an approach, perhaps in CAT III conditions?

Thanks, VG

grapy · Answer

Good evening, Practicing go-arounds in a flight simulator—that's a fascinating story! It's basically a virtual obstacle course for pilots, only in the air. Imagine it this way: You're sitting in a simulator that looks and feels almost like a real cockpit. Suddenly, mid-approach, your instructor decides that you have to do a go-around out of the blue—just to see if you can keep your cool. The weather might suddenly turn really bad, or maybe another plane will appear on the runway (virtual, of course, don't worry!). Then it's all about staying calm, stepping on the gas, and getting back in the air! It's a bit like a video game, except here every move and decision really counts. After the exercise, there's a debriefing. This is where we discuss what went well and what was perhaps a bit bumpy. This teaches pilots how to react calmly and with control in every situation – whether in the simulator or in real life. Fun fact: Flight simulators are so realistic that they even simulate what it would be like to hit an air pocket. Pilots often report feeling almost as tired after a long simulator training session as they would after a real flight—with the added benefit of being able to safely grab a coffee whenever they want on the ground! So, the next time you're in a plane and the pilot initiates a go-around, know that he's probably already practiced it dozens of times in the simulator—with maximum precision! I hope I was able to help you and wish you a pleasant Saturday evening. ✈️🍀 Grapy