"Jay Honeck" wrote in message news:x4Q3c.2179$YG.23444@attbi_s01...
(Lotsa good stuff snipped)
For the first time in I can't remember when, I executed a go-around...

Hey, Jay: I've been lurking on this newsgroup so long that I feel like
I know you and a bunch of others.

Just wanted to make one point. Go arounds are a reflection of the
excellent pilot exercising excellent judgement.

I had an older instructor many moons ago who told me that every
landing where you actually land should be a pleasant surprise. He
taught that one should plan every approach with the full expectation
of going around...and if, perchance, one finds oneself with one's
ducks all in a row over the numbers, well, go ahead and land, and good
luck for it.

I am not suggesting that I go around all that often, but I think a lot
of pilots get in the "I'm gonna get this damn thing on the ground
regardless..." mindset, and that leads to problems after they manage
that feat. Our airplanes rarely get damaged up there in the sky. Most
of the really dangerous bits are associated with the ground. Land when
you are well prepared to land. Otherwise go up and take another shot
at it.

Of course, when I fly my glider, going around is a lot harder! :-)

Jim