Link:

"He did his training and was honorably discharged," Duffy said.

Former Air National Guard officials contacted by the AP said there could be reasons for the trainer flights and multiple-approach landings which have nothing to do with Bush's pilot skills.

Bush could have flown T-33s so many times because his unit did not have enough F-102A jets available that week, for example, said retired Maj. Gen. Don Shepperd a former head of the Air National Guard. Another former Air National Guard chief, retired Maj. Gen. Paul A. Weaver, said he saw nothing unusual about Bush making more than one landing attempt.

"It doesn't mean anything to have multiple approaches," Weaver said.

Breaking off an approach is called a go-around. There isn't a pilot alive (other than glider pilots, of course) who hasn't had to do a go around from time to time. It can happen for a variety of reasons, such as excessive sink rate or by being too high. It can happen if a wind gust or down draft catches the plane or if the approach just doesn't feel right or if there's conflicting traffic.