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

Vintage Aviation News

APRIL 26, 2024

He was heavily involved in general aviation, so the aviation bug is genetic for me. I disassembled one top wing panel and one bottom wing panel so we could compare the existing ribs, spars, and other parts to the blueprints – other than the ailerons, they were found to be identical, so I had a full set of new spars constructed.

Airplanes 105

Airplanes Aileron Tail Hangar 105

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

It’s as close to “evasive action” as you can get while flying a general aviation aircraft. In maintaining a properly coordinated steep turn, the pilot must use the opposite aileron to maintain bank. 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

Increased lift on the raised wing immediately creates more induced drag. What’s induced drag? Induced drag is the resistance that happens as a result of creating lift, caused by swirling air around the wings that slows the airplane down. The higher drag on the raised wing reduces its speed relative to the lower wing.

Stability 52

Stability Center of Gravity Aileron Rudder 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Maintenance room is generally very good. Winging It Aside from the aforementioned desire for a greater aspect ratio for reduced drag, the one-piece Gweduck wing was developed for minimal weight, ease of construction and benign handling. Keeping drag corralled was emphasized as the Gweduck mission is foremost long-distance cruising.

Airplanes 78

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 78

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. Years before producing the Jenny, Glenn Curtiss established himself as a key pioneering aviator. However, turning the wheel actuates the rudder (instead of the ailerons).

Airplanes 56

Airplanes Runway Pilot Aileron 56

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.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Rudder Aileron Crosswind 98