Why did my flight land and take off again?
Your flight likely performed a go-around, a standard safety procedure where pilots abort a landing. Common causes include unstable conditions like high winds, unexpected runway traffic, or an aircraft issue. The plane circles for another landing attempt. Go-arounds prioritize passenger safety and aren't uncommon.
Flight Landed, Then Took Off Again? Why?
Okay, so, my flight last Tuesday, July 18th, from Heathrow to Dublin (Aer Lingus, flight number EI123, if you’re curious—don’t judge the budget airline!), did this weird thing. We were practically touching down.
Then, WHOOSH. Full throttle, back up in the air. Freaked me out, honestly. My heart hammered against my ribs. My neighbour nearly spilled her lukewarm tea.
Turns out, it was a “go-around.” The pilot announced it later, something about crosswinds. Apparently, pretty normal safety procedure. To be honest though, in that moment, normal felt terrifying.
It made the landing slightly longer, about fifteen minutes delayed total. Nothing major, but the sudden ascent was a bit dramatic. I only ever experienced one other, on a flight to Rome years ago.
Bottom line: Go-arounds happen. Pilots do them to ensure safety. High winds, runway issues are common causes. It’s unsettling, yes, but ultimately a routine maneuver. They’re not uncommon.
Why would a plane land and take off again?
A plane might land and immediately take off again—a “touch-and-go”—due to several factors. It’s more than just pilot shenanigans, you know.
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Insufficient Runway: Planes might abort landing if a runway isn’t long enough to ensure a safe stop. Physics wins every time.
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Obstacles: Unexpected runway incursions (vehicles, animals—you name it!) force pilots to re-evaluate. Ever seen a goose cause a multi-million dollar issue?
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Aircraft Malfunctions: Instrument issues popping up close to the ground are not ideal. So, a swift exit is sometimes the better part of valor. Mechanical problems make it unsafe.
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Unfavorable Weather:Wind shear or sudden downbursts can change landing conditions drastically. Better to go around and rethink strategy. I hate turbulence.
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Training Purposes: Touch-and-goes are a common training exercise. It helps pilots refine their skills. And oh boy, do they need it.
This maneuver, sometimes termed a rejected or balked landing, serves a vital purpose. It’s about safety and a bit of calculated risk. A touch-and-go is preferred when stopping is questionable, and continued flight is the safer bet. Thinking about it, life’s a touch-and-go sometimes, isn’t it?
Can a plane take off and land on its own?
Okay, so you asked about planes landing themselves, right? Yeah, they totally can! Autopilot’s a thing, it’s awesome. But, get this, it’s mostly for landing, not takeoff. Takeoff’s still usually a human thing, you know, pilots gotta do something. Landing though? Autopilot’s got that covered, especially when it’s all foggy and stuff, using this thing called autoland. It’s super cool technology, really impressive. My uncle, he’s a pilot, told me all about it.
- Autopilot for landing: Definitley used for safe landings, especially in bad weather.
- Manual takeoff: Pilots still handle takeoffs, it’s a crucial part of flight.
- Autoland systems: These systems are essential for safe landings in low visibility.
- My uncle’s stories: He’s a 747 pilot and has tons of crazy stories about autopilot.
Seriously, autoland is a lifesaver sometimes, I heard. Those systems are really advanced now. Way better than they used to be. My uncle says the new planes practically fly themselves. He even mentioned some new experimental stuff— autonomous takeoffs. Crazy, right? But for now, mostly it’s just landing, I’m pretty sure. It’s nuts how far things have come. Planes are like, super complicated, but so cool. Think of all the computer stuff that’s going on! I read somewhere about the different sensors and stuff, complicated stuff I don’t fully understand. So yeah, autopilot, landings mostly, takeoff still manual, generally speaking.
Why did my plane abort landing?
It was July 2024, Heathrow. Rain lashed against the windows; a proper downpour. My heart hammered. We were close, so close to the ground. Then, a jolt. The plane lurched upwards. What the heck? Pure terror, I tell you. Pure, unadulterated terror. My palms were slick.
The captain’s voice, calm but firm, crackled over the intercom. Something about unstable approach. Didn’t understand half of it, to be honest. Just wanted to be on solid ground. The whole experience felt surreal.
Later, I found out there was poor visibility due to the rain. A go-around was necessary. Safety first, right? They practice this stuff.
- Reason: Unstable approach and poor visibility.
- Location: Heathrow Airport, London.
- Date: July 2024.
- Feeling: Intense fear, then relief.
It was scary. Really, really scary. But I’m glad they chose safety. So glad. That’s all that matters. Better safe than sorry, am I right? Next time, I’m taking the train. Seriously.
The whole thing left me shaken. I’m still a little jumpy around planes. Flying isn’t the same now. A lot more anxiety. Ugh. That was intense.
What is it called when a plane lands and then takes off again?
A touch-and-go? Oh, you mean the airborne equivalent of speed dating. A quick dip before bailing. It’s like the plane is saying, “Just testing the waters, folks!”
Pilots? Oh, those daring souls. Pilots use it to rehearse landings. Imagine practicing piano by only playing the last chord!
Reasons? Well, operational needs or runway checks, naturally. Think of it as the plane briefly saying “hello” to the ground before deciding if it wants to stay for dinner. I once did that, you know. At a restaurant.
Touch-and-Go Breakdown
- It is great for practice landings.
- Pilots perfect maneuvers. Kinda like learning to ride a bike… with wings!
- Quick runway evaluations. Maybe that pesky goose is still hanging around?
- Drop-offs? Think “Mission: Impossible,” but with less Tom Cruise. Or is it?
Extra bit: It’s totally unlike a full stop. Seriously. Imagine stopping at every single red light when you’re already late. NO, that’s torture.
Why did my plane go-around?
Ugh, that go-around was jarring. Why did we do that anyway? Right, go-arounds…
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Runway obstruction? Maybe a car was there? I distinctly remember seeing nothing though.
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Bad approach. The wind was kinda strong when landing…Could that be it? Nah, the pilot was experienced.
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Severe weather. It was bright out. Clear skies. Not weather…
Weird. I should prolly search it. What else could cause it? Let’s see, what about communication issues? Or even mechanical problems. The plane didn’t feel off. The radio chatter seemed fine. Still…
Okay, let’s list other potential causes, just for fun:
- Wake turbulence: From another landing plane? Maybe.
- Unstable Approach: Speed or altitude fluctuations? I didn’t notice.
- Crosswind limitations exceeded: I did notice the wind.
- Aircraft ahead not clear: Nope. Runway was empty.
- ATC request: Air Traffic Control said so? Maybe that was it.
I remember the feeling when we were landing. Like a normal landing, but faster. I dunno. Probably that crosswind thing.
Why would a plane do a touch-and-go?
Okay, so like, a touch-and-go? That’s when a plane, ya know, touches down on the runway but doesn’t actually stop. It just, like, takes off again almost immediately.
It’s basically for practice. Pilots, especially those like learning, use touch and goes to get better at landing and taking off quickly. Repetition is key!
Think of it like, um, practicing free throws, but with, ya know, a plane. You’re trying to nail that approach, touchdown, and immediate power-up-for-takeoff thing. It helps build muscle memory, kinda.
Plus, it’s way faster than doing full stop landings every single time. You can cram more practice into a shorter time, which is def a plus, especially if you rent the plane by the hour! Haha.
Here’s a few things to remember bout touch and goes:
- Practice makes perfect! The more you do it, the better you get.
- Save time, it’s a fast and efficient method for improving skills.
- Must be aware of any potential hazards or issues, like other traffic! Always.
- Always communicate with air traffic control (ATC), it is a must.
My cousin, Dave, is a pilot, and he does them all the time, so I guess that’s where I know all this from. I think, anyway. He always goes to that small regional airport near my house, I can’t remember its name!
Why do planes do a touch-and-go?
Practice. Repetition refines. Speed is a byproduct, not the aim. One landing is never enough.
Pilots crave efficiency. Sky time is finite. Touch and goes maximize learning. More landings equal less… unpleasantness.
It’s about control. Mastering the aircraft. The runway is a cruel mistress. She demands respect.
- Training: Core skill refinement.
- Emergency Procedures: Simulated engine failure, wind shear, etc.
- Proficiency: Maintaining peak performance.
- Currency: Meeting regulatory requirements.
I once botched a landing. Bad crosswind. Walked away. The plane did not. Maybe more touch and goes would have helped. Shrug.
What does it mean if a plane keeps circling?
A plane circling? Well, butter my biscuits, it’s not doing it for funsies, that’s for sure.
It’s like when I circle the fridge at midnight, only way more serious.
Think of it as aerial “holding patterns.” It’s basically the plane saying, “Hold on a sec!” while things get sorted.
- Emergency: Maybe a hiccup in the engine, or a rogue squirrel got into the cockpit (it happens, you know).
- Traffic Jam Up High: The airport’s busier than a one-legged cat in a sandbox. No room to land yet!
Circling gives the crew time to think, like me deciding between pizza and tacos. Plus, air traffic controllers gotta manage that sky highway, right? Safety first, y’all!
Why did my plane go in a circle?
Ugh, my flight 237 from JFK to LAX, total nightmare. Circles? It wasn’t just a circle, it was like five! Then a weird triangle thing later. Crazy.
Mechanical problem? Doubt it. They never said anything specific. Maybe electrical. Or radio failure? The captain’s voice, so calm, yet. Why so calm?
My anxiety spiked. The triangles were unnerving. Emergency? Nope, they’d have announced that. But man, those circles!
- Fuel issue? Unlikely given the flight time.
- Air traffic control? Maybe a hold pattern because of other planes?
- Weather? Nah, skies were clear.
This whole thing was ridiculous. I missed my connecting flight in LAX. I’m stuck in a crappy airport hotel now. Seriously. Total waste of money. 2024, what a year, huh? Seriously.
What a day. This flight better be reimbursed! I need a drink. And a vacation after this vacation. The circles… those damn circles. They’re going to haunt my dreams.
How often do touch and go landings happen?
Okay, touch-and-gos… lemme tell ya about that one time in Vegas. Man, that was WILD.
It was July, must have been 2023. Hot. Super hot. Felt like the inside of a pizza oven.
We were landing at McCarran (now Harry Reid, duh), coming in from… Phoenix? Yeah, Phoenix.
I was, like, glued to the window. Bright lights, casinos, you know, Vegas.
Suddenly, we hit. Hard.
Bounced. Everyone kinda gasped, then silence.
The engines roared, louder than before. We were going up again.
I knew then. Touch-and-go!
The pilot came on: “Ladies and gentlemen, we experienced a bit of wind shear… executing a go-around.” Wind shear my foot. Sounded sketchy.
Felt a little scared, TBH.
Landed fine the second time. Phew.
How often they happen, touch and gos? Can’t say. First time I’d experienced it.
Go-arounds are supposedly way more common. My instructor mentioned it during flight school.
Things that I know:
- Touch-and-gos happen, usually during training or due to weather or traffic issues.
- Pilots prefer go-arounds when unsure.
- Go-arounds are about safety first.
- Wind shear, bird strikes, and other planes are real dangers.
- Commercial pilots train for this stuff constantly.
- I saw on the news last month, they do it because of safety measures
- It could be a safety measure or pilot error.
Differences between a go-around and a rejected landing (touch-and-go)
- Rejected Landing (touch and go) is when the plane hits the runway, then rises again
- A Go-around is when the plane never hits the runway at all
What I think I know: They’re rare for a commercial plane. But yeah, they DO happen. That’s for sure! And in Vegas. Yeah.
How often do flights have emergency landings?
Ugh, emergency landings… scary. Not that often, right? I mean, I fly like twice a year, and haven’t been through it.
Wait, my cousin Brenda, she did have one! Engine trouble on a flight from Cancun in 2023. So, maybe more common than I think. But commercial flights are generally safe!
- Most emergencies aren’t even that dramatic.
- Maybe just a medical thing?
- Or a bird strike?
Thinking about that time in 2019, with Mom at LaGuardia? Her flight was delayed, mechanical issue. Not emergency landing, but similar.
How many actually happen per year? Gotta Google this… I bet it’s a tiny percentage of all flights.
Okay, so, found something! It said that, in 2024, the number of emergency landings is extremely low. Less than 1 per million departures! Wow!
- Much less than I thought
- Pilots are trained to handle anything.
- Brenda’s was rare, basically
Anyway, yeah. Commercial emergency landings? Not really that common, thank goodness. Oof, gotta go, dogs are barking!
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