Touch and Go

A touch and go is a flight training maneuver in which the aircraft lands on the runway and immediately applies takeoff power to become airborne again without coming to a full stop. It allows multiple landings to be practiced in a single circuit, maximizing training efficiency.

The touch and go procedure requires the pilot to quickly reconfigure the aircraft for takeoff during the brief ground roll — retracting flaps to the takeoff position, ensuring the trim is set, and smoothly applying full power. This reconfiguration under time pressure adds complexity and is itself a training element.

Variations include:

• Stop and go: The aircraft comes to a complete stop on the runway before taking off again (used when runway length permits and the instructor wants to practice full landing technique)
• Low approach: The aircraft flies the approach to near-touchdown altitude but does not land, transitioning directly to a climb (go-around practice)
• Option: ATC clears the pilot for "the option," meaning they may perform a touch and go, stop and go, low approach, or full-stop landing at their discretion