Plane and Pilot

MARCH 6, 2025

I felt knots forming in my stomach. The winds and rain caught up with the little craft as if a hand was reaching out grabbing control of the airplane. The 152 rocked and bounced in the air currents as we approached the runway. It was all I could do to keep the airplane straight. I noticed that the wind was picking up.

Airplanes 100

Airplanes Threshold Runway Knot 100

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 3, 2025

If youre preparing for takeoff, navigating an approach, or landing at an uncontrolled airport, knowing how to read a windsock can give you quick wind information. Standard FAA aviation windsocks are calibrated to fully extend at a wind speed of 15 knots. How To Read a Windsock Hanging limp : Winds are under 3 knots.

Knot 98

Knot Weather Wind Shear Weight-Shift-Control 98

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

How did any given airplane sell? In order to be flown by a sport pilot, the resulting airplane must still meet the current regulations—1,320 pounds maximum gross weight, 120 knots max cruise speed, for example—but how it gets there is up to the builder. But successful? Not at all. Was it profitable for the company?

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Knot Pitot Tube Gross Weight 98

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Have you ever thought about landing an airplane without using flaps? Think about these scenarios: maybe the flaps stop working, or youre flying an older airplane that doesnt even have them. Pilots must adapt their approach and landing technique during flap failure. Flatter approach angle (due to less drag).

Pilot 52

Pilot Drag Descent Approach 52

Aerotime

JULY 19, 2024

Unable to turn, climb, or descend the aircraft using conventional flight control inputs and effectively left to fly an unflyable airplane, the crew were forced to rely on engine power alone to find and reach a suitable airfield and attempt a landing. With 296 passengers and crew onboard that day, the stakes could not have been higher.

Runway 294

Runway Horizontal Stabilizer Airlines Airline 294

Aerotime

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

In the case of certain passengers, a flight may represent the first time they have ever been onboard an airplane, generating feelings of excitement and trepidation in equal measure about what may lie ahead. One of the first items on before taxi checklists is to set the take-off flaps well before the aircraft approaches the runway.

Cabin Crew 269

Cabin Crew Runway Clearance Knot 269

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 6, 2024

Also, from when I lived out West, there was the mountaintop clearance guideline—1,000 feet for every 10 knots of wind, with 30 knots meaning no-go. It wasn’t a big deal, but after a long week at EAA AirVenture and a long day in the airplane, the detour wasn’t appreciated. And then there’s headwinds. That’s what Plan B is for.

Airplanes 95

Airplanes Weather Ceiling Turbulence 95

Pilot Institute

MARCH 28, 2025

If youre flying an airplane with a short wingspan, you should do everything you can to avoid severe wake turbulence. Pilots need to keep this behavior in mind as theyre likely to encounter these vortices while theyre on approach or during departure. This lateral movement takes place at a speed of about two or three knots.

Turbulence 97

Turbulence Lift Drag Runway 97

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 7, 2025

All of which makes picking 10 airplanes for your fly-before-you-die list more than just a bit subjective. Meanwhile, Marc Cook, Plane & Pilot editor in chief, has 43 years in the left seat and had the good fortune to work a decade for AOPA and fly a bunch of interesting airplanes. T-6’s performat EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Tail Pilot Jet 98

Flight Training Central

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

Airplane performance can be defined as the capability of an airplane to operate effectively while serving a specific purpose. The result of an alteration in airflow patterns increasing induced drag about the wings of an airplane. 187 knots 162 knots 165 knots Correct! 356 feet. It reduces climb performance.

Density Altitude 105

Density Altitude Knot Ground Effect True Airspeed 105

Air Facts

JULY 15, 2024

Though wind is reported using such simple numbers like 270@15G20, I’ve come to believe that 20 knots here is not always the same as 20 knots there. I did a checkride in 30 knot winds in the flatlands of Kansas, almost straight down the runway. Then came the landing in 20 knots in the Hill Country of Texas, west of Austin.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Knot Rudder Turbulence 98

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Just to be clear, although I avoid flying in “hard” IFR, all of my IFR practice includes approaches to minimums, go-arounds, and holding patterns—just in case. Fussing with the avionics to keep tabs on the weather gave many more knob touches than the airplane itself. The FAA weather said a thunderstorm was forecast, gusts to 6 knots.

Weather 80

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 80

Plane and Pilot

MARCH 14, 2025

With a 125-horsepower upgrade, this particular Grumman is even quicker, with cruise speeds approaching 120 knots. You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance and quickly calculate your monthly payment using the airplane finance calculator. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

Knot 52

Knot Approach Airplanes Hangar 52

AV Web

JANUARY 22, 2025

The airplane came to rest about 1600 feet from the Runway 31 threshold and about 250 feet right of the extended centerline. Winds were from 290 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots. Yet all indications are he succumbed to a simple stall on final approach. The private pilot was fatally injured.

Final Approach 52

Final Approach Airplanes Drag Crosswind 52

Flight Training Central

DECEMBER 30, 2024

Video tip: how to recover from a spin with Patty Wagstaff – Join Patty Wagstaff in her Super Decathlon aerobatic airplane, as she explains how it’s possible to enter a spin, and then the proper recovery. Enjoy these top 10 posts from 2024 and safe flying in the New Year!

Indicated Airspeed 52

Indicated Airspeed Airplanes Pilot Runway 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Landing an airplane can be one of the most nerve-wracking tasks for a student pilot. Getting an airplane to fly is easy. Briefing A pre-landing briefing highlights essential points critical to the approach and landing phase. It also allows you to focus on flying during the last stages of the approach and landing.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Crosswind 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Good, honest bankers , brokers , and backers who have been through many airplane acquisitions before will know the ropes and can guide you through the rough spots. Many times, people have fallen in love with a certain airplane type early on and will rush out to buy it, any one of it, as soon as they’re able. Believe me, stuff happens.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Knot Annual Inspection Tail 52

AV Web

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

82 (499 knots) and 23,000 feet and company officials are talking about going supersonic in the next few flights. Boom Supersonic is getting closer to living up to its name and went higher and faster on its seventh test flight on Nov. The prototype got to Mach.82 The post Boom Nearing Boom appeared first on AVweb.

Knot 105

Knot Cockpit Approach Pilot 105

Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

We often hear that the key to a great landing is an equally great approach. And lets face it, the key to that flawless approach is often a well-planned descent. The en route instrument approaches, traffic patterns, and terrain are all new. When should we review the approach (IFR) or airport diagram (VFR)?

Descent 55

Descent Approach Final Approach Turbulence 55

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 11, 2025

The alert will only sound once every 60 seconds and is automatically disabled if groundspeed is less than 40 knots. Runway Final Approach Alert – Alerts when approaching any runway, based on altitude, vertical speed, track, and when within 4 nm of the runway threshold. AGL after having been above 1,000 ft.

AGL 52

AGL Runway Groundspeed Descent 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 1, 2024

“Wing warping,” as this approach was called, was satisfactory for very slow airplanes, but faster ones required more rigidity, and by around 1908 or 1909 the idea had arisen of replacing part of the trailing edge of a wing with a hinged, controllable flap. But it cannot have been quite so obvious then.

Aileron 108

Aileron Airfoil Weight-Shift-Control Airplanes 108

Air Facts

JANUARY 13, 2025

The pros and the cons: Cirrus SR22 Air Facts Journal A note on the title: Last time I wrote about a particular airplane (the Cessna 210 ), I titled it Why I love it, why I hate it. Richard Collins memorably wrote about Cirrus pilots in previous articlesboth what they do wrong and what they do right but here Ill focus on the airplane.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Rudder Knot Pilot 98

Air Facts

MARCH 28, 2025

Buffalo Hunting With Airplanes Air Facts Journal This is not a Wild West story involving Buffalo Bill. Those puffs were airbursts containing shell fragments that could cripple an airplane, or worse, wound or kill the crew. The post Buffalo Hunting With Airplanes appeared first on Air Facts Journal. A DC130 carrying a Firebee.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes AGL NOTAMs Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 7, 2024

According to Horton, the kit reduces stall speed by 4-7 knots while reducing the 182’s already short takeoff and landing distances by some 10%. Although the engine is approaching TBO, the new owner can take comfort in the airplane’s lack of hail damage or corrosion. Logs are complete, and there is no damage history.

Knot 98

Knot Airplanes Approach Pilot 98

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

If you’ve arrived at a non-towered airport recently, especially one with a busy flight school, you may have heard another airplane announce something to the effect of “overhead for the teardrop entry.” This is not an instrument procedure, but rather a way to enter the traffic pattern when approaching from the opposite side of the runway.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Airplanes Runway Approach 98

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 4, 2024

A 120-knot cruising speed, room for four, outstanding visibility, and crisp handling define today’s bargain. Manufactured by Grumman American, this AA-5 Traveler offers the simplicity of a 172 with a cruise speed approaching that of a similarly-powered Mooney. Learn more about Grumman AA-5 ownership here.

Drag 96

Drag Knot Approach Airplanes 96

Air Facts

MAY 24, 2024

As I went through the preflight inspection, my wife strapped my daughter into the car seat and climbed into the airplane herself. 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.

Aileron 98

Aileron Crosswind Knot Runway 98

One Mile at a Time

APRIL 2, 2025

View enroute to Washington Dulles Austrian business class pre-landing snack Upon waking up, I first ordered an americano, which was served in a Julius Meinl branded mug, and was pretty great for airplane coffee. He warned of some turbulence on approach, and of strong winds at Washington Dulles, which were gusting up to 30 knots.

Approach 78

Approach Descent Airlines Airline 78

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Airspeed was approaching VMO. Anything in the airplane not tied down floated, even dust from the flight deck carpet, then slammed to the nearest surface moments later as we were caught by the next wave. Eighty-knot tailwinds aloft and higher-than-normal temperature difference between the surface and aloft. What had I missed?

Turbulence 97

Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 97

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

It can also be dangerous when the learner drops the airplane to fly the checklist or radio, so practice in the ATD is often a good way to learn procedures, as the ATD is a CFI-controlled environment. To get the most out of the scenario, the learner should use the same procedures in the airplane. It’s an ATD.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Airplanes VOR Runway 105

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

When I had the endurance to drive 20 miles to an appointment, had good situational awareness of all the cars around me on the freeway, and when driving didn’t take 100 percent concentration, I had passed the first challenge before getting in the airplane. Hmm, OK, how about the LPV approach? We have to ask for GPS approaches.)

Pitot Tube 86

Pitot Tube Approach Aileron Instrument Landing System 86

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

How did any given airplane sell? In order to be flown by a sport pilot, the resulting airplane must still meet the current regulations—1,320 pounds maximum gross weight, 120 knots max cruise speed, for example—but how it gets there is up to the builder. But successful? Not at all. Was it profitable for the company?

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Knot Pitot Tube Gross Weight 98

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

Pounding on the airplane to loosen ice was forbidden. That approach was ugly like you read about, but at minimums, the needles were crossed. My first real PIC instrument approach was ferrying a C172 to Hyannis, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod for maintenance. With this airplane, DA presented a caution, but never really a threat.

Knot 94

Knot Weather Density Altitude True Airspeed 94

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 8, 2025

As we walked from the wharf to breakfast, I saw that peak wind gusts were tickling the 40-knot mark. Amy and I walked our gear out to the airplane, and she returned to the FBO while I did my ritual of loading everything up. In other words, Mooneys attitude was that you, not the airplane or factory, must set your own wind limits.

Crosswind 97

Crosswind Wind Shear Knot Airplanes 97

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

It’s typically measured in knots (nautical miles per hour), with one knot being about 1.15 As an aircraft accelerates, especially at or above 200 knots, the air particles flowing around it become tightly packed. Then, check the altimeter to confirm that you’re holding your altitude, or approaching the altitude you want.

True Airspeed 52

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Altimeter Lift 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 23, 2024

A drone was used to locate the airplane and steer two airboats to the crash site. Around halfway, cruising at 3,000 feet at 180 knots, onboard avionics data indicates increasing temperature in one of the cylinder heads lasting about five minutes. The pressure of a no-go-around approach is immense. Can you hear me?”

Knot 93

Knot Runway Pilot Groundspeed 93

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 3, 2024

Is it to perfect the maneuver for the next check ride, learn how to recover the airplane after an inadvertent stall, or just avoid the whole thing in the first place? Most fatalities occurred during takeoff, climb, and go-around rather than the approach to landing. Why do we practice stalls? Each plane stalls a bit differently.

Airplanes 84

Airplanes Approach Horizontal Stabilizer Pilot 84