Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 12, 2025

The Ercoupe design featured an interconnect between the full-span ailerons, rudder, and steerable nosewheel. The main landing gear featured a swiveling trailing link design to allow landings in a crab, a simple version of the crosswind crab system in the mighty B-52 Stratofortress. Push and pull for pitch.

Rudder 105

Rudder Tail Crosswind Airplanes 105

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

At first glance, ailerons look like ordinary hinged panels on the wings, but don’t be fooledthey’re important for keeping an aircraft both stable and maneuverable. But theres much more to ailerons than just rolling left or right. Or how do modern airplanes reduce dangerous effects like aileron flutter or adverse yaw?

Aileron 90

Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

AV Web

DECEMBER 22, 2024

I did not fly through tropical storms, hurricanes, or blizzards; the only inversions I have experienced were voluntary aileron rolls or the occasional intentional spin. My year was a non-event if you base its merit on what I accomplished in the world of aviation.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Hangar Aileron Crosswind 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Out in the practice area, I did some of my favorite beyond-ACS but still normal category exercises—alternating steep turns with full aileron deflection, extended low speed flight, and Dutch rolls to 45-degree bank each way, again with full aileron deflection. Then the CFI gave me a few unusual attitudes, and all was well.

Pitot Tube 84

Pitot Tube Approach Aileron Instrument Landing System 84

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

If there is a crosswind at the airport, you should mention this in your brief. Discuss your nominated crosswind technique. Explain what aircraft input you will require to land the aircraft in the crosswind. For example, the crosswind is from left to right. You will either carry out the side-slip or de-crab technique.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Runway 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Most commercial and general aviation aircraft are designed to be dynamically stable. The Dutch roll generally only lasts for a few oscillations and dies out fairly quickly. A jolt from the side can trigger a Dutch roll when flying in gusty crosswinds or heavy turbulence. Is Dutch Roll Dangerous?

Stability 52

Stability Center of Gravity Aileron Rudder 52

Plane and Pilot

DECEMBER 16, 2024

General aviation is driven by myriad forces. Planespotters note the F2’s separate ailerons and flaps, conventional tail. You can sit there with full back stick, full aileron one way and full rudder the other, and its perfectly controllable. Then theres the sales and marketing footprint. Well see about that.

Rudder 98

Rudder Airplanes Aileron Crosswind 98