touch and go

[essouira]

When we talk about something being really "touch and go" - it means it's a bit unlikely or iffy. So when we take off again from a landing, why do we call it a "touch and go" ??

[Flat-Spot]

Because we didn't stop!!
If we did stop, it would be a stop and go. However, if we are landing and taxiing in, its a full stop landing.

cheers, F-S

[Notso Fantastic]

Touch (down) and Go (again). It is a completely different aviation only expression now!

[knobbygb]

I always assumed the 'plain english' expression was derived from the aviation one. Anyone know?

[touch&go]

Not been called 'a bit unlikely or iffy before'.

[Tonic Please]

A Touch and Go could be referred to as a student doing a first solo, where the plane is TOUCHed on the runway and then full power is applied and the plane takes off and GOES...
The other would be the Go Around, where the aircraft does not touch the runway...

Any help? :D

Smooth skies
Dan

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

It happens far more often before his first solo. Touch and goes are practicesd for many hours by students... but hey, you pilots guys must know that. I worked with some ex-wartime US pilots abroad who used to use terms like "follow-through" landings, which brought a few wry smiles!!

[Tonic Please]

HD - Without being picky...I was just using a solo as an example. I'm very aware of how many TG's a student does before solo :D

Just out of interest...I presume you work on 120.4 with reference to your Username?

Smooth skies

Dan :)

[essouira]

Thanks for the replies but the main question still bemuses me. Does the expression "that was a bit touch and go" (ie iffy/chancy, not solid) have any connection with our "touch and go" ? Does anyone out there know, for instance, whether it was used before aviation ?
ps Apologies to you touch and go for calling you iffy

[Skypark]

NO!

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Tonic.. Yep, 120.4.. 119.72 and 134.97; the whole Heathrow bit. But not for much longer.