Plane and Pilot

MARCH 25, 2025

She walked me through the foyer to the spotless, freshly painted hangar. The GameBird is right at home on the grass, pavement, or TacAeros clean hangar. The airplane is incredibly sensitive, thanks to sweeping, full-span ailerons and an unnaturally tall stick that exaggerates any and all inputs.

Knot 111

Knot Airplanes Runway Rudder 111

Air Facts

MAY 24, 2024

Centerline, centerline, centerline Air Facts Journal It was a beautiful May day as we grabbed the tow bar to pull the 1981 Cessna 182 out of the hangar. The only thing that caught my attention was a 90 degree crosswind coming from the east that was gusting to 11 or 12 knots. My left crosswind became left downwind very quickly.

Aileron 98

Aileron Crosswind Knot Runway 98

Pilot Institute

MARCH 28, 2025

When the aircraft encounters a vortex and its strong enough to induce roll, the pilot counters it by using the ailerons against the roll and tries to fly out of the wake as soon as possible. If the aircrafts wingspan is long enough, its ailerons will extend beyond the vortex diameter, and counter control would still be possible.

Turbulence 97

Turbulence Lift Drag Runway 97

AV Web

DECEMBER 22, 2024

Unfortunately, the government and its money-schlepping agency, the IR of S, strongly believes in the traditional calendar, so today, I find myself rummaging through my hangar’s detritus and junk in search of deductible items and a clue on how to end this year of flying on a high note. My gratitude goes out to you, my readers.

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 86

Pitot Tube Approach Aileron Instrument Landing System 86

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

Once there, he put us in a slight right turn toward our first fuel stop 60 miles ahead, continuously fighting the stick as the gusting left crosswind did its best to push us off course. Wilkins guided the craft along the invisible roller coaster, working to keep the wings level while maintaining a crab as the Cub climbed the first 500 feet.

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 98

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 23, 2025

Although I consider myself somewhat of a fearless adrenaline junkie, watching the wheel just outside my window touch down on the pavement while the other was still suspended as we leaned into a crosswind got my heart racing a bit. Its a moment to be proud of.

Rudder 98

Rudder Descent Pilot Runway 98