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Sometimes an overshoot is necessary. When an approach is not going well, or there is an unexpected obstacle on the runway, an overshoot should be considered. Often the pilot doesn’t have much time to make this decision so the procedure to overshoot should be practiced diligently, so the response is swift and automatic.
An overshoot may be necessary for many reasons. For example, if wake turbulence is suspected, crosswinds or tailwinds are too great, when there is an obstacle on the runway, or if the pilot feels they won’t have enough runway to land. 
An unplanned “obstacle” can be the presence of wildlife, for example. This has happened to me several times at CYBW. Once, on approach, a coyote was standing right in my intended touchdown spot. Without hesitation, we added power, carb cold and took off. 
In the Cessna 172:
Zero Flaps:
1) Full Power,
2) Carb Heat Cold.
Full flaps:
1) Full Power,
2) Carb Heat Cold,
3) Flaps 20 degrees – immediately.

Alicja Gados

I was born in Europe (Poland) and moved to Calgary as a young kid and grew up in Canada. I began graduate school in Edmonton, Alberta where I also began ground school and my private pilot’s license training at Edmonton city centre, the now closed, Blatchford field, CYXD (most operators have moved a short way west to Villeneuve). I moved to the rocky mountains, I transferred flight schools to very busy, and windy Springbank airport – CYBW near Calgary. This move was overwhelming, at best. This is a blog about my experience learning to fly, acquiring more flight experience and ratings but also about general aviation topics, news and gear reviews. I’ve discovered that flying takes a lot of studying, work and dedication, but is very rewarding! I started flying just out of graduate school, so I have struggled with paying for my lessons, and as a result, I have to take many breaks, which means that getting licensed has taken many more hours than normal. I am a commercial and multi IFR rated licensed pilot. I completed my PPL and CPL in Calgary-Springbank and multi IFR (group one) ratings in Abbotsford, BC at Chinook Helicopters. If you are learning to fly, interested in learning to fly or just interested in aviation, please join us. I trained as an economist before becoming a pilot and switching to aviation full time. I enjoy climbing, mountaineering, hiking, camping and backcountry skiing. It’s a great time to be in aviation. The industry is growing.

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