AIM ¶ 5-5-5 — Missed Approach Procedures
AIM 5-5-5 missed approach procedures: when to go missed, pilot/ATC duties, MAP, DH, cold temp corrections. Study guide for IFR checkrides and written tests.
In Plain English
AIM 5-5-5 splits missed approach responsibilities between the pilot and the controller during an IFR approach.
When the pilot must go missed:
- Arrival at the Missed Approach Point (MAP) or Decision Height (DH) without sufficient visual reference to the runway environment to land
- A safe approach or landing is not possible
- ATC instructs a go-around
Pilot duties:
- Advise ATC of the missed approach (and the reason, unless ATC initiated it)
- Fly the published missed approach procedure from the MAP, unless ATC issues alternate instructions
- If going missed before the MAP, continue the lateral path to the MAP, then climb
- Climb to the published missed altitude — but honor any maximum altitude between the FAF and MAP, which may require continued descent
- At a Cold Temperature Airport (CTA) — marked by a snowflake icon — apply a cold-temperature correction to the missed approach final holding altitude when at or below the published temperature, and tell ATC
- Request a follow-on clearance (another approach, hold, alternate, etc.)
Controller duties: issue alternate missed approach instructions, vector the aircraft if advantageous, or clear the pilot per their stated intentions.
This paragraph is informational guidance, not a regulation, but it reflects standard expected practice on every IFR checkride.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 5-5-55-5-5. 5-5-5. Missed Approach
Pilot. Executes a missed approach when one of the following conditions exist: Arrival at the Missed Approach Point (MAP) or the Decision Height (DH) and visual reference to the runway environment is insufficient to complete the landing. Determines that a safe approach or landing is not possible(see subparagraph 5-4-21 h ). Instructed to do so by ATC. Advises ATC that a missed approach will be made. Include the reason for the missed approach unless the missed approach is initiated by ATC. Complies with the missed approach instructions for the IAP being executed from the MAP, unless other missed approach instructions are specified by ATC. If executing a missed approach prior to reaching the MAP, fly the lateral navigation path of the instrument procedure to the MAP. Climb to the altitude specified in the missed approach procedure, except when a maximum altitude is specified between the final approach fix (FAF) and the MAP. In that case, comply with the maximum altitude restriction. Note, this may require a continued descent on the final approach. Cold Temperature Airports (CTA) are designated by a snowflake ICON and temperature in Celsius (C) that are published in the notes box of the middle briefing strip on an instrument approach procedure (IAP). Pilots should apply a cold temperature correction to the missed approach final holding altitude when the reported temperature is at or below the CTA temperature limitation. Pilots must inform ATC of the correction. REFERENCE- AIM, Chapter 7 , Section 3 , Cold Temperature Barometric Altimeter Errors, Setting Procedures, and Cold Temperature Airports (CTA). Following a missed approach, requests clearance for specific action; i.e., another approach, hold for improved conditions, proceed to an alternate airport, etc. Controller. Issues an approved alternate missed approach procedure if it is desired that the pilot execute a procedure other than as depicted on the instrument approach chart. May vector a radar identified aircraft executing a missed approach when operationally advantageous to the pilot or the controller. In response to the pilot's stated intentions, issues a clearance to an alternate airport, to a holding fix, or for reentry into the approach sequence, as traffic conditions permit.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Under what conditions are you required to execute a missed approach?
Per AIM 5-5-5, the pilot executes a missed approach when (1) at the MAP or DH the visual reference to the runway environment is insufficient to complete the landing, (2) a safe approach or landing is not possible, or (3) ATC instructs the pilot to go missed.
Q2If you decide to go missed before reaching the MAP, what should you do?
Per AIM 5-5-5, fly the lateral navigation path of the instrument procedure to the MAP, then execute the published missed approach. Climb to the missed approach altitude, but if a maximum altitude is specified between the FAF and MAP, comply with that restriction — which may require continued descent on the final approach.
Q3What special consideration applies at a Cold Temperature Airport during the missed approach?
Per AIM 5-5-5, CTAs are identified by a snowflake icon and a temperature in Celsius in the notes box of the middle briefing strip. When the reported temperature is at or below the CTA limitation, the pilot must apply a cold-temperature correction to the missed approach final holding altitude and inform ATC of the correction.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 5