Air Facts

MAY 24, 2024

With a little forward pressure on the yoke, I was able to keep the airplane on the runway to continue picking up airspeed as we arrived at my target of 60 knots for takeoff. As soon as we hit 60 knots indicated, I lightly pulled back on the yoke and the airplane popped right off the ground. No ceiling so no hold for us today!

Aileron 98

Aileron Crosswind Knot Runway 98

Flying Magazine

APRIL 26, 2024

The CRJ is interesting to fly with a lot of trimming required as it’s a long-bodied jet with a large swing either side of the CG. I mean, all jets I have flown are like that, but this is fairly sensitive to pitch, power, and flap configuration—all requiring lots of trimming. With a lighter corporate jet, that is powerful.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Weather Knot Aileron 105

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

This 172 had a flap extension speed of 85 knots, and my old Cessna 172’s limit was 100 mph, or 87 knots. Since my home airport has Class C airspace with regional jets and bizjets, I fly final relatively fast and start slowing down at 2 miles to be stable 30 seconds before minimums.

Approach 60

Approach Pitot Tube Aileron Instrument Landing System 60

Air Facts

OCTOBER 23, 2024

Oh, no, just go right ahead and panic there, Mr. Jet Pilot, Mr. Solo-At-Night Hotshot. Flying at the pattern altitude at the usual 300 knots, solo, at night. I deserved the taunting, doing aileron rolls like that, getting discombulated. But I somehow had it fixed in my mind that I was approaching from the south, to Runway 35.

Runway 98

Runway Pilot Aileron Approach 98

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

The weather briefing we had reviewed a half hour earlier promised a 20-knot headwind that would require two fuel stops on the 130-mile trip from our home airport in Kennett, Missouri (KTKX), to Little Rock Air Force Base (KLRF) in Arkansas. The windsock promised that getting the little yellow bird into the air would be a white-knuckle affair.

Runway 74

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 74

Air Facts

OCTOBER 7, 2024

Navy primary flight training—the instructor had it coming Air Facts Journal Second Lieutenant Arnold Reiner Marine Corps recruitment brochures in the early ’60s described three pilot training pipelines: jets, transports and helicopters. With no money for flight instruction, my plan was for the military to pay for the training.

Cockpit 98

Cockpit Rudder Tail Indicated Airspeed 98

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

Upgraded wheel pants, flap and aileron seals, vortex generators, and a 3-bladed prop have been added. I configured the airplane the same way as noted on the Piper Climb chart: 105 mph (91 knots), flaps 10 ° , full throttle. Time To Fly Our aircraft can cruise for about 4 ½ hours plus an hour of reserve fuel at 130 knots.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude OAT Airplanes Pilot 52