Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Steep turns should be one of the most fun maneuvers pilots learn. But for many pilots, flying coordinated turns while keeping altitude and speed steady is hard enough. In maintaining a properly coordinated steep turn, the pilot must use the opposite aileron to maintain bank.

Lift 52

Lift Aileron Drag Pilot 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 1, 2024

Despite the early invention of the aileron, wing warping continued to be used, even on some fighters, as late as 1916. The function of an aileron, or any hinged trailing-edge surface, is commonly explained in ground school by simple analogy to, say, a door opened on a windy day. It affects the entire area ahead of the aileron as well.

Aileron 108

Aileron Airfoil Weight-Shift-Control Airplanes 108

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 72

Aileron Crosswind Knot Runway 72

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. Further complicating matters was the fact that the plane would be delivered by civilian pilots.

Runway 70

Runway Crosswind Rudder Approach 70

Air Facts

JUNE 21, 2024

It didn’t occur to me that he was trying to show he could fly like a fighter pilot or something, because after all, we were in a Cessna 172. I pretended he was a really good pilot when they were on board, so he could “make points” with them. And a knot is 1.15 I don’t think he knew what the ailerons or rudder did.

Rudder 76

Rudder Crosswind Knot Aileron 76

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Key Takeaways Slow flight trains pilots to handle the aircraft at speeds just above stalling. That’s why it’s crucial for pilots to learn aircraft control at low speeds. Additionally, both private and commercial pilot checkrides require the demonstration of slow flight. Pilots use reference stalling speeds instead.

Lift 52

Lift Rudder Drag AGL 52

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

Pilots who regularly operate at high elevation airports are (or should be) familiar with planning this type of flying. The “Six” can seat 6 (pilot + 5 passengers) in a 2-2-2 seating configuration. Although not a problem for airliners, flying at high altitude airports presents challenges for pilots of small piston aircraft.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude OAT Airplanes Fixed Base Operator 52