Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

In maintaining a properly coordinated steep turn, the pilot must use the opposite aileron to maintain bank. To learn all the maneuvers you’ll need to perform on your practical test, check out Airplane Maneuvers Mastery for more. You may need to apply the opposite aileron to counter the overbanking tendency.

Lift 52

Lift Aileron Drag Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

If you’ve ever been on a flight and felt the airplane swaying side to side, you might’ve experienced a taste of what’s known as a Dutch roll. Learning about the Dutch roll can make your next flight feel a little more grounded, even when the airplane isn’t. Increased lift on the raised wing immediately creates more induced drag.

Stability 52

Stability Center of Gravity Aileron Rudder 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

The higher speed creates extra lift, causing the airplane to bank further into the turn. We correct for the overbanking tendency with aileron opposite the turn. The pilot’s job is to prevent the airplane from banking too quickly or too far. The left wing’s aileron deflects up, decreasing lift.

Rudder 52

Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2024

Landing an airplane is not easy, even for experienced pilots. Your ailerons and rudder will be neutral once you’re in the crab position. Simultaneously, we apply ailerons opposite the rudder input. The ailerons control our lateral position over the runway. We call this de-crabbing.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Longitudinal Axis Aileron Rudder 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Drag : The aerodynamic force opposing the aircraft’s forward motion. This increases lift but comes at the cost of increased induced drag. Pilots must counteract the additional drag with more thrust to maintain altitude. Later flap stages add mostly drag. The gear adds lots of drag but zero lift.

Lift 52

Lift Rudder Drag Checkride 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Ice can affect everything from how the airplane flies to the engines staying functional. And ice doesn’t just make things slippery, it messes with the airflow over the wings, cuts down on lift, and ramps up drag. This leads to a serious loss of lift and an increase in drag.

Pitot Tube 52

Pitot Tube Drag Lift Airfoil 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 12, 2024

A power-on stall occurs when the airplane’s nose rises too high, and the angle of attack becomes too steep, disrupting the airflow over the wings. The lack of airflow over the ailerons results in a loss of control authority and mushy and ineffective controls. While takeoff flaps improve performance, they also add unwanted drag.

Stability 52

Stability Horizontal Stabilizer Airplanes Lift 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Full flaps are generally used since they lower approach speed and increase drag. The drag allows for a steeper descent, which is particularly helpful when avoiding obstacles. Airplanes with higher wing loading may need power all the way until the flare. A flaps-up approach offers more control on windy days but comes at a price.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 52

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

You’ll have to determine the correct point for your particular airplane, but once you do, you can set up your downwind leg perfectly for any runway. Add any more pressure, and the wheel will stop rotating and drag along the runway instead. Keep the ailerons into the wind. Use just enough braking as necessary.

Descent 52

Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 52

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

Though renowned for its maneuverability, the Triplane struggled to pull away from the Camel, fighting against the fundamental drag of its triple tiered wings. Naming it Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome (ORA), Palen built a turf runway and got those old airplanes flying again. Over time, he built an extensive flying menagerie.

Airplanes 56

Airplanes Runway Pilot Aileron 56

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Since then, the team has advanced the airplane into a kit, one made out of carbon fiber and incorporating more than 1400 hours of the prototype’s operation. But now they are, and as no other Experimental—or certified airplane for that matter—can do what the Gweduck can, it’s time to take a good look at the program.

Airplanes 77

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 77

Plane and Pilot

DECEMBER 16, 2024

A strong or soft market overall can dramatically influence any given airplanes success, quite apart from how it looks or performs. Plus, you know, the airplanes were pretty OK. Planespotters note the F2’s separate ailerons and flaps, conventional tail. We had eight airplanes partially built so they had to be taken out too.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Rudder Aileron Crosswind 98