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Examining over 100 years of flight automation and the history of the autopilot

Aerotime

Flying for extended periods of time at the controls of a basic aircraft was hard physical work, and poor weather or mechanical issues could also add to pilot fatigue on longer flights. Sperrys first autopilot was born from the concept of assisting pilots during longer flights and reducing their workload, both physical and mental.

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Flight Test Files: Convair XF-92A Dart

Vintage Aviation News

Besides validating the thin delta wing principle, the XF-92A played a major role in supporting the development of the Convair F-102A interceptor, the Air Forces first attempt at an all-weather, supersonic interceptor. It was controlled by a conventional rudder and full-span elevons that functioned as elevators and ailerons.

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Flying a Plane for the First Time: A Beginner’s Guide

Pilot's Life Blog

Aircraft Controls: Primary ControlsAilerons, Elevators, Rudder The three primary flight controls ailerons , elevators, and rudderare essential for piloting an aircraft. Ailerons, located on the wings, control the plane’s roll. Elevators, found on the tail, manage its pitch, or up-and-down motion.

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Wingtip Vortices and Wake Turbulence

Pilot Institute

As seen from the aircrafts tail, the vortex rotates in the anti-clockwise direction on the right wingtip and the clockwise direction on the left wingtip. When the aircraft encounters a vortex and its strong enough to induce roll, the pilot counters it by using the ailerons against the roll and tries to fly out of the wake as soon as possible.

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53rd National Stearman Fly-In

Vintage Aviation News

.” It’s still configured as a cropduster, with gauges in the center section, a hopper, pump, and booms, with flat-bottom high lift wings, a metal covered fuselage and the most distinct looking “stearman” tail you’d ever find. With its wide stance, long wing and nose, and square tail it takes you back to the 1930’s in art deco style.

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Is Flying a Helicopter Harder Than Flying a Plane? A Comparative Analysis

Pilot's Life Blog

Control Mechanisms Airplane Controls In airplanes, pilots manage flight using three primary controls: the ailerons, elevator, and rudder. Ailerons, located on the wings, control roll by increasing lift on one wing while decreasing it on the other, allowing the aircraft to bank left or right.

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The Hazards of Aircraft Icing: Explained

Pilot Institute

Remember that wings, propeller blades, and tail surfaces are airfoil-shaped. 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. Many aircraft have heated leading edges on the wings, tail, and propellers.