Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

With its unique forward-tail design, retractable landing gear, and classic lines, it began the design philosophy for the over 11,000 Mooneys to follow. The wing featured a laminar flow design extending to the end of its generous flaps then a more conventional design forward of the ailerons.

Tail 98

Tail Aileron Pilot Airplanes 98

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Missing its tail, pointing almost straight down, a Van’s RV-7A single-engine, two-seat homebuilt plummeted out of the blue and into the rocky ground. This wasn’t the first Van’s homebuilt to experience an in-flight tail separation. I did my first aileron roll in an RV-4. The pilot died instantly. Was the breakup cause or effect?

True Airspeed 95

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 95

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Missing its tail, pointing almost straight down, a Van’s RV-7A single-engine, two-seat homebuilt plummeted out of the blue and into the rocky ground. This wasn’t the first Van’s homebuilt to experience an in-flight tail separation. I did my first aileron roll in an RV-4. The pilot died instantly. Was the breakup cause or effect?

True Airspeed 94

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 94

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

With the introduction of the Cirrus SR22T in 2010, general aviation had a truly modern, high-flying, personal airplane that could fly at over 200 mph and make reliable long-distance travel a reality for the single-engine piston set. The ailerons, elevators, and rudder featured fabric covering stretched over lightweight aluminum frames.

Rudder 89

Rudder Stability Airplanes Aileron 89

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

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. Most commercial and general aviation aircraft are designed to be dynamically stable. Is Dutch Roll Dangerous?

Stability 52

Stability Center of Gravity Aileron Rudder 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

With the engines decided, the rest of the airplane’s general size and mass fell into place. 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.

Airplanes 80

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 80

Plane and Pilot

DECEMBER 16, 2024

General aviation is driven by myriad forces. Planespotters note the F2’s separate ailerons and flaps, conventional tail. Out back, theres an entirely new tail. Theres an unusual duck tail between the two elevator halves that provides a measure of anti-stall behavior. Well see about that.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Rudder Aileron Crosswind 98

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

With me in Warrior 481 were my friend Mark, who joined me for the last excursion to ORA and also sought closure from the aborted airshow, and Noah, a new student pilot with the Williamson Flying Club making his first cross country trip by general aviation aircraft. He's at full takeoff power and he's got the tail up!

Airplanes 56

Airplanes Runway Pilot Aileron 56