Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 12, 2025

Understanding the Basics of Flight Principles of Flight: Lift, Weight, Thrust, and Drag Flying a plane for the first time requires a basic understanding of the forces that make flight possible. Lift is generated by the wings, counteracting the force of weight, which pulls the plane down.

Aileron 52

Aileron Rudder Drag Descent 52

Northstar VFR

JULY 21, 2024

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. Why is this? This is called adverse yaw.

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Rudder Airplanes Pilot Stability 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.

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Crosswind Longitudinal Axis Aileron Rudder 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

And ice doesn’t just make things slippery, it messes with the airflow over the wings, cuts down on lift, and ramps up drag. This leads to a serious loss of lift and an increase in drag. With thicker accumulations and irregular shapes, drag can get up to two times worse!

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Pitot Tube Drag Lift Airfoil 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 12, 2024

This creates boundary layer separation, resulting in a loss of lift. The lack of airflow over the ailerons results in a loss of control authority and mushy and ineffective controls. While takeoff flaps improve performance, they also add unwanted drag. What Is a Power-on Stall? This applies to the elevator as well.

Stability 52

Stability Airplanes Horizontal Stabilizer Lift 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Full flaps are generally used since they lower approach speed and increase drag. The drag allows for a steeper descent, which is particularly helpful when avoiding obstacles. Reducing lift puts more weight on the wheels. Use the rudder to keep the aircraft in line with the runway and apply aileron into the wind.

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Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Crosswind 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

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. Maintenance room is generally very good.

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Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 59