Air Facts

JULY 15, 2024

I did a checkride in 30 knot winds in the flatlands of Kansas, almost straight down the runway. It felt like pushing it for that airplane, but checkrides are so hard to schedule I went. Several times I’ve landed smoothly in a strong crosswind, then had trouble keeping the airplane on the runway. What to do?

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Knot Rudder Turbulence 98

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

Doubling your groundspeed quadruples the impact force. Although light airplanes are designed to withstand crash forces up to 9G, keep in mind that higher speeds add up to the stopping distance. Then, head into the wind to reduce groundspeed and hang the airplane in the branches in a nose-high attitude. Do you know why?

Pilot 59

Pilot Descent Approach Thrust 59

Air Facts

MARCH 10, 2025

Their peripheral vision and hand-eye coordination barely work for pickleball, let alone landing an airplane.” Its true that the Private Pilot ACS now allows EFBs to be used on checkrides, but show up to a checkride with your nav log on an EFB, and you’ll get the same questions you’ll get with paper.

Checkride 52

Checkride Density Altitude Calibrated Airspeed True Airspeed 52