Remove Aileron Remove Crosswind Remove Tail
article thumbnail

The Ercoupe

Plane and Pilot

Many years ago, while working my way through college pumping avgas at the local airport, I discovered that one of our university deans owned a diminutive two-seat, twin-tailed airplanean Ercoupe. ERCO), Weick refined the design into the low-wing, twin-tailed beauty whose distinctive looks are unmistakable.

Rudder 101
article thumbnail

Mastering Crosswind Landings (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Pilot Institute

In this article, we’ll cover all you need to know to confidently master crosswind landings. Key Takeaways Manage crosswind landing challenges using the crab and sideslip techniques. Plan for crosswind conditions with step-by-step procedures. Your ailerons and rudder will be neutral once you’re in the crab position.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

What Is a Dutch Roll, and Is It Dangerous?

Pilot Institute

However, if the aircraft has an oversized tail but not enough dihedral in the wings, it becomes vulnerable to spiral instability. Tail Design Larger, more effective stabilizers provide stronger restoring forces. A jolt from the side can trigger a Dutch roll when flying in gusty crosswinds or heavy turbulence.

article thumbnail

What Every Pilot Needs to Know about the Airplane Rudder

Northstar VFR

As air flows over it, a force like lift results, and the tail is pulled in the opposite direction of the deflection. But instead of an upward force of lift on a wing, it’s a horizontal force pushing the tail of the plane causing the nose of the plane to move left and right. This is especially vital during crosswind landings.

Rudder 52
article thumbnail

Nothing Small About It

Plane and Pilot

True, a slightly higher aspect ratio wing was desired, which in turn required a larger vertical tail and thus a little extra mass, but the size, approximately 20% larger than a Widgeon, was set. The Mallard—it’s a trike—has a tail stinger because it otherwise falls on its tail when loading.”

article thumbnail

Return to Form

Plane and Pilot

Planespotters note the F2’s separate ailerons and flaps, conventional tail. But you can see the change to separate ailerons and flaps is just one part of preparing the F2 to grow into a four-place airplanebuying aerodynamic benefits now to spend later on a heavier, more powerful model. Well see about that.

Rudder 83
article thumbnail

A Bristol Bulldog Biplane Fighter is Once Again in the Sky

Vintage Aviation News

Although it is sort of heavy on the ailerons,” Storo said. What you do is you sit up high for takeoff and as you add power and the tail comes up almost immediately, very quickly. The tail touched down hard, but to save the landing—and the airplane—Storo put power to it and went around for another approach.

Airplanes 124