Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Placing the center of gravity ahead of the aircraft’s center of lift improves longitudinal stability. Doing so provides more lateral stability since the aircraft’s Center of Gravity (CG) lies below the wings. Pilots should avoid using the ailerons to correct the Dutch roll in small aircraft.

Stability 52

Stability Center of Gravity Aileron Rudder 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2024

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 use just enough aileron input to prevent the aircraft from drifting downwind. We call this de-crabbing.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Aileron Longitudinal Axis Rudder 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Additional Dangers of Ice Accumulation Icing also makes your aircraft heavier and can even change the position of the center of gravity. It can also cause control surfaces like ailerons and flaps to function improperly, making the aircraft harder to maneuver.

Pitot Tube 52

Pitot Tube Drag Lift Airfoil 52

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 16, 2024

These enhancements, along with an increased center of gravity adjustment through the addition of forward ballast, ensured that the Sunderland could effectively defend itself while maintaining balance during flight. The nose turret, initially equipped with a Vickers K machine gun, was later switched to a Browning machine gun.

Center of Gravity 52

Center of Gravity Tail Lift Aileron 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

The wing’s dead-smooth surface plus the tight-fitting aileron and flap brackets plus aileron gap seals give the build a professional factory look (left). Nudging it back to center slid the ball a diameter the other way—trying to corral it in the middle was a bit pointless as it didn’t want to live there.

Airplanes 61

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 61