Pilot's Life Blog

MARCH 15, 2024

Below are other critical pieces of the wings that help give the plane additional lift, reduce drag, or achieve lower speeds in preparation for landing: Ailerons: A French word meaning “fin” or “little wing,” the aileron helps control the airplane’s roll. What are the basic parts of this section?

Horizontal Stabilizer 52

Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron Air Traffic Control Lift 52

Aerotime

JULY 19, 2024

The primary flight controls on the DC-10 (ailerons, rudder, elevators, spoilers) were all operated by hydraulic pressure and the first officer was quick to realize that his controls were unresponsive to his inputs. On checking the hydraulic fluid pressure and quantity gauges, he noticed that they all read zero.

Runway 287

Runway Horizontal Stabilizer Airlines Airline 287

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Alongside a nearby highway, some recognizable bits of airplane, the vertical stabilizer and rudder, a horizontal stabilizer and elevator, fell separately to Earth. I did my first aileron roll in an RV-4. The pilot died instantly.

True Airspeed 69

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 69

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Alongside a nearby highway, some recognizable bits of airplane, the vertical stabilizer and rudder, a horizontal stabilizer and elevator, fell separately to Earth. I did my first aileron roll in an RV-4. The pilot died instantly.

True Airspeed 67

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 67

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Placing the center of gravity ahead of the aircraft’s center of lift improves longitudinal stability. The aircraft’s horizontal stabilizer (tailplane) creates a downward lift to counterbalance pitching moments. Directional Stability Directional stability decides how stable the aircraft is about the yaw axis.

Stability 52

Stability Center of Gravity Aileron Rudder 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 12, 2024

The turbulent air hits the horizontal stabilizer, which causes a vibration that can be felt throughout the aircraft. The lack of airflow over the ailerons results in a loss of control authority and mushy and ineffective controls. You should always test the stall warning system on the ground to ensure it works.

Stability 52

Stability Airplanes Horizontal Stabilizer Lift 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

It most commonly forms on the leading edges of your aircraft, including the wings, tail, and horizontal stabilizer, as well as on the propeller blades and pitot tubes. It can also cause control surfaces like ailerons and flaps to function improperly, making the aircraft harder to maneuver.

Pitot Tube 52

Pitot Tube Drag Lift Airfoil 52