IR.VI.A.R4FAA-S-ACS-8C · Nov 2023Risk management
Aircraft configuration during an approach and missed approach.
Aircraft configuration during an approach and missed approach.
Bottom line
Retracting the flaps to correct for an undershoot creates an unnecessary risk and may cause a sudden decrease in lift, an excessive sink rate, and an aggravated unstable condition. For a typical piston aircraft, an approach is stabilized when a set of criteria is met, one of which is configuration: the aircraft in the correct landing configuration with flaps as required, landing gear extended, and in trim.
FAA references
- AC 120-108 ch. 4 List of Tables — AC No: 120-108A
- AFH ch. 9 (p. 9-6) — FAA-H-8083-3C
- 14 CFR 91.175 (Takeoff and landing under IFR.) — eCFR current as of 2026-03-05
- AFH ch. 16 (p. 16-22) — FAA-H-8083-3C
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