Pilot Institute

MARCH 19, 2025

When flying an airplane, you become a part of the air around you. Pilots use METARs for flight safety, runway selection, and weather planning. Ideally, they try to land into a headwind, may tolerate crosswinds , and try to avoid significant tailwinds. Forget checking your phone apps or the TV. What Is a METAR?

Weather 84

Weather Altimeter Runway NOTAMs 84

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 3, 2025

The windsock is normally placed next to a runway or helipad so that you can easily see it when lined up for takeoff or coming in for a landing. It is your responsibility to evaluate wind conditions before selecting a runway for takeoff or landing. Why is it called a windsock? Consider a windsock as nature’s wind compass.

Knot 98

Knot Weather Wind Shear Weight-Shift-Control 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

Air Facts

MARCH 5, 2025

He then returned to Vance to conduct landings from the T-38 overhead pattern on our westernmost runway (17R); thats when the wheels came off. Approximately half way down the runway, you execute a level, 60-degree bank, 180 o turn while reducing power and lowering the speed-brakes to arrive on the inside downwind.

Pilot 98

Pilot Knot AGL Approach 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. Crosswind Landings : Learning no-flap crosswind landings can help improve aircraft control in high-wind conditions.

Pilot 52

Pilot Drag Descent Approach 52

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. I’ve landed in strong winds enough times that 30 knots can seem routine, as long as it’s reasonably aligned with the runway.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Knot Rudder Turbulence 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

Flight Training Central

MAY 28, 2024

The numbers 4 and 22 on the approach ends of the runway indicate that the runway is orientated approximately 004° and 022° true. If the wind is as shown by the landing direction indicator, the pilot should land on Runway 9 and expect a crosswind from the right. Runway 31 directly into the wind. 040° and 220° true.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control 98

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

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Fussing with the avionics to keep tabs on the weather gave many more knob touches than the airplane itself. Kentland has a 4,000-foot runway, east/west, with a crosswind straight out of the north. Nobody answered on unicom, and the facilities were at the west end of the airport, so I decided on left traffic for Runway 27.

Weather 85

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 85

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. After one last check to my left to make sure there weren’t any yahoos on an unapproved short final (old habit), I took the runway then pressed the throttle in to full power. Approach switched me to Tower.

Aileron 98

Aileron Crosswind Knot Runway 98

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 18, 2024

It actually flew fine, and it flies like a normal airplane. “If you view the video of the first flight on YouTube ( LINK ), you’ll see the airplane does some wiggling around, but most of that was done on purpose as I was trying to get the feel of it as fast as I could.” It is a terrible airplane for crosswinds.

Airplanes 124

Airplanes Crosswind Tail Cockpit 124

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 8, 2025

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. The FAA would have a conniption at the idea of a new airplane rolling out with a sales brochure for a POH, but thats what the Mooney owners manual is. The hourly forecast called for winds to lessen around 4 p.m.,

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Wind Shear Knot Airplanes 98

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 27, 2025

From misjudging the flare to battling crosswinds, these mistakes can challenge pilots of all experience levels. 1) High Roundout Sometimes when the airplane appears to temporarily stop moving downward, the roundout has been made too rapidly and the airplane is flying level, too high above the runway.

Airplanes 89

Airplanes Runway Accelerated Stall Lift 89

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. But landing it safely on the runway is a skill. If there is a crosswind at the airport, you should mention this in your brief. Discuss your nominated crosswind technique.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 31, 2025

One inch of dry, powdery snow on clean pavement is navigable for most airplanes fitted with standard six-inch tires. So, be prepared to learn just show much of what kinds of snow your particular airplane can negotiate safely. I have made experimental touch-and-goes on an unbroken runway, but that technique carries some risk.

Runway 92

Runway Airplanes Crosswind Drag 92

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

The electronic E6B is equally useful when in the airplane, to help determine actual winds aloft, true airspeed, fuel burn, and descent planning. Find the crosswind component for Runway 36 if the reported wind direction is 320 at 12 knots. 926 175 167 Correct! knots Correct! knots Correct!

Flight Plan 52

Flight Plan True Airspeed Flight Computer Groundspeed 52

AV Web

DECEMBER 22, 2024

Many runways in various states have felt the wrath of my main gear tires as they smote a mighty blow on their surfaces. None of my students have killed themselves in an airplane, and all of them have miraculously passed their check rides without too much drama. Nigel led off with, “chocks?”

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Hangar Aileron Crosswind 52

Air Facts

MAY 6, 2024

And she made a cloud of dust getting her airplane on the ground. As I listened in to the radio calls, I heard “Cessna November 50788 entering downwind for a full stop on runway 17” and “Twin Cessna November 61237 on final to runway 17”. I would say she got it on the ground safely, but I’d be lying. My First Officer, Brad D.,

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Airplanes Knot 98

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 27, 2024

Well, for sure the training of pilots in swept-wing jets has improved dramatically, and the aircraft, runway environment, and approach aids have all made significant leaps forward. Some pilots soar like eagles to a smooth touchdown, and others settle to the runway like wounded turkeys. So, what happened? No pressure.

Stability 93

Stability Approach Runway Pilot 93

Northstar VFR

JULY 21, 2024

The airplane rudder is one of the most misunderstood of the primary flight controls. The yaw of the airplane rotates around its vertical axis. The rudder is a movable flight control which is mounted on the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer on the back of the airplane. Where is the rudder? Now we’ve rotated and in the air.

Rudder 52

Rudder Airplanes Pilot Stability 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

The many analyses and videos on these topics have been done in what can best be described as laboratory conditions—carefully selected ideal conditions of pilot, airplane, and environment. NTSB ERA22LA169 describes a funny engine noise that prompted an earlier than planned turn to crosswind for an anticipated return to the airport.

Gross Weight 98

Gross Weight Runway Airplanes Pilot 98

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 2, 2025

Over the last three years, The Bear has expressed great interest in visiting Alton Bay, the only FAA-authorized ice runway in the continental United States. A very brief 2022 season for the ice runway eliminated opportunities to return that year. The Bear was furious that she missed out. The Bear and me flying to Alton Bay!

Runway 89

Runway Knot Weather Turbulence 89

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 4, 2024

Beyond that, likely with an instructor, you can learn fun, new skills in the same airplane. If you have access to both low- and high-wing airplanes, you can practice till you’re really good in both. I was telling him how I had just made a whole series of beautiful, one-wheel, crosswind landings. He looked puzzled.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Aileron Runway Gross Weight 52

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

To our surprise, the ubiquitous calls from airplanes inbound to a popular fly-in breakfast were absent, causing me to double check that I set the correct frequency. As we approached the airport, I counted only three airplanes parked on the crosswind runway. N21481 and N4344P at Re-Dun. This 1956 version was for sale.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Runway Airplanes Descent 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

The little plane leapt into the air almost immediately as the wind seemingly swirled from every direction along the 5,000-foot runway. Once there, he put us in a slight right turn toward our first fuel stop 60 miles ahead, continuously fighting the stick as the gusting left crosswind did its best to push us off course.

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 98

Inflight Pilot Training

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

In addition to learning about the aircraft itself, you will also review airport procedures, runway markings, and basic safety guidelines. For a deeper understanding of stall behavior and recovery techniques, the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook provides an excellent resource.

Approach 52

Approach Aileron Visual Flight Rules Rudder 52

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

You can only begin improving the touchdown if you’ve mastered positioning your aircraft above the runway threshold correctly. For example, if you fly a high-wing aircraft such as a Cessna 172, you can use the point where the runway cuts the wing strut as a reference. See if the runway appears to move relative to the windshield.

Descent 52

Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 52

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. Then off to the other runway for a full stop. So what did I observe?

Pitot Tube 91

Pitot Tube Approach Aileron Instrument Landing System 91

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

The Old Prop Strike A friend of mine had the misfortune to suffer a prop strike, one of those aw-shucks moments when the plane was allowed to stray off the runway and chew up a frangible runway light. The engine was idling, but the propeller is unrepairable, despite being able to propel the airplane back to the hangar.

Stability 94

Stability Annual Inspection Crosswind Runway 94

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Not only must you fly unnervingly slow, but you also have to pick a spot on the runway and hit it. It’s a runway that is too short for a normal takeoff or landing but still usable with certain precautions. This allows them to safely operate into and out of these tight runways. You’re not alone.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 52

Flight Training Central

MARCH 29, 2024

What is the most hazardous wind condition when taxiing a tricycle gear airplane? Quartering tailwind Quartering headwind Direct crosswind Correct! What is the difference between a normal landing and a crosswind landing? What is likely to occur if you lift off the runway before reaching rotation speed due to ground effect?

Aileron 52

Aileron Crosswind Ground Effect Thrust 52

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

JANUARY 23, 2025

It had been over 15 years since I was last in a small airplane, and to say I was excited is quite the understatement. Once we were ready, we started up, and the instructor radioed the tower before taxiing to the runway. Taxiing procedures: Moving the aircraft to the runway involves steering with your feet using the rudder pedals.

Rudder 98

Rudder Descent Pilot Runway 98

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 13, 2024

The wheels touch down too hard, and before you know it, the airplane is bouncing right back into the air. A bounced landing is a condition where the aircraft lands on the runway, but instead of rolling on the surface after touchdown, it rebounds/bounces off the ground. Allow your aircraft to settle back onto the runway.

Descent 52

Descent Runway Rudder Pilot 52

Flight Training Central

DECEMBER 4, 2023

A pilot needs to control the airplane in a manner that the wings support the weight of the airplane as long as practical to minimize stresses imposed on the landing gear by a rough surface or to prevent sinking into a soft surface. The approach for the soft-field landing is similar to the normal approach.

Approach 52

Approach Ground Effect Final Approach Airplanes 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

While instructors idly watch, airplanes go off the runway, landings become too harsh, structure gets overstressed, and tolerances are exceeded. No flying in winds exceeding 10 knots, no chance of obscuring precipitation, no use of runways shorter than 5,000 feet, no risk of encountering darkness or lowering ceilings.

Runway 52

Runway Wind Shear Crosswind Ceiling 52