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

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

It’s a bright sunny day, great visibility, some high stratus clouds, a bit windy maybe (050 at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots), and folks are wearing hoodies as the temperature is a brisk 38 degrees Fahrenheit. In the accident airplane, the left engine fuel valve assembly was found in off position. The ramp isn’t busy at all.

Pilot 91

Pilot Knot Airplanes Lift 91

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. Brief that you will use the right rudder to align the aircraft straight with the runway and the left aileron to counteract drift. Take your ground speed in knots and divide it by two. Good question.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Final Approach 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

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Alongside a nearby highway, some recognizable bits of airplane, the vertical stabilizer and rudder, a horizontal stabilizer and elevator, fell separately to Earth. The sole probable cause was the pilot’s ‘improper aerobatic maneuver…that exceeded the airplane’s design limits. The listed entry airspeed range is 87 to 97 knots.

True Airspeed 92

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 92

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Alongside a nearby highway, some recognizable bits of airplane, the vertical stabilizer and rudder, a horizontal stabilizer and elevator, fell separately to Earth. The sole probable cause was the pilot’s ‘improper aerobatic maneuver…that exceeded the airplane’s design limits. The listed entry airspeed range is 87 to 97 knots.

True Airspeed 91

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 91

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

It’s a bright sunny day, great visibility, some high stratus clouds, a bit windy maybe (050 at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots), and folks are wearing hoodies as the temperature is a brisk 38 degrees Fahrenheit. In the accident airplane, the left engine fuel valve assembly was found in off position. The ramp isn’t busy at all.

Pilot 93

Pilot Knot Airplanes Lift 93

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

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Its connected, along with a safety weak link, to the tail of the airplane. The NTSB said witness accounts and video evidence suggested that the airplane was operating in the region of reverse command and that the power required to climb with the increased drag of the banner exceeded the power available at its pitch attitude.

Drag 70

Drag Airplanes Pilot Rudder 70

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024

Many airplanes from the golden age of aviation came with heel brakes, such as Piper Cubs and Aeronca Champs. These were small pedals at the base of the rudder pedals that give the same differential control as toe brakes, but you push your heels in for brake application. For that matter, we’re not all flying around with toe brakes.

Rudder 83

Rudder Runway Altimeter Pilot 83

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

Flying Magazine

MAY 14, 2024

The latest version of the nonturbocharged SR22, the recently unveiled G7, boasts a top cruise speed of 181 knots, 1,169 nm range, and useful load of 1,326 pounds. If you’re stepping up from a slower airplane, beware of falling behind the aircraft. Both have a top speed of 95 knots, a 427 nm range, and a useful load of 430 pounds.

Knot 101

Knot Pilot Cockpit Flight Deck 101

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? Initial Buffet How do you train for stall avoidance in an airplane that you should not stall? Why do we practice stalls? Each plane stalls a bit differently.

Airplanes 82

Airplanes Approach Horizontal Stabilizer Pilot 82

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 2, 2025

At the airport, there was ice and snow to remove from in front of the hangar door, fuel to add to the Warrior now resting on three fully inflated tires (the left main had a new tube), and then there was the moment when I slipped on ice while pulling the airplane from the hangar and landed flat on my back. 164 airplanes.)

Runway 89

Runway Knot Weather Turbulence 89

Flight Training Central

MARCH 4, 2024

The airplane will be flown at 1,000’ AGL parallel to and at an equal distance from the field boundaries – about ½ – ¾ miles from the boundary as you would fly a traffic pattern. As the airplane turns onto the following base leg, the tailwind will decrease and becomes a crosswind.

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Crosswind Aileron Rudder 52

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. The FAA weather said a thunderstorm was forecast, gusts to 6 knots. And on short final at Knoxville, I got chirps from a flock of unrecognized electronic birds, telling me something but not in airplane-speak.

Weather 78

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 78

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

The higher speed creates extra lift, causing the airplane to bank further into the turn. The pilot’s job is to prevent the airplane from banking too quickly or too far. In our example, the right wing has more lift, and thus more drag, than the left wing as the airplane rolls. Let’s look at why this happens.

Rudder 52

Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 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. The newer 172 (46 years old) did and had a 3-G limit with flaps extended.

Pitot Tube 84

Pitot Tube Approach Aileron Instrument Landing System 84

Jetwhine

JANUARY 17, 2024

Down low, maximum speeds can easily exceed 425 knots. However, this airplane is also designed with systems simple enough—and handling qualities docile enough—to allow no-jet-time aviators to confidently solo in as little as 15 hours. You’d think pilot problems would be all about stick-and-rudder skills here,” he said.

Knot 52

Knot Rudder Pilot Jet 52

Photographic Logbook

MARCH 10, 2024

Twenty years ago today, I bought an airplane. I'm in Oklahoma and I just bought an airplane." Compared to the tired, 100 horsepower, 2-seat Cessna I did my training in, this airplane was a veritable beast and it had a great paintjob, too. Also, weak batteries cannot start airplanes. Bill admonished out of embarrassment.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Knot Avionics Master Switch Runway 52

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

Flying at 60 knots? You’ll have to determine the correct point for your particular airplane, but once you do, you can set up your downwind leg perfectly for any runway. For example, it’s good practice to add a few knots to V-ref when landing in gusty conditions. 60 x 5 = 300 feet per minute is your recommended descent rate.

Descent 52

Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 52

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. The windsock promised that getting the little yellow bird into the air would be a white-knuckle affair.

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 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. Common Aircraft Types Bounced landings can occur in different airplane models, including the popular Cessna 172. You should use the rudder to do this. What do you do? The real challenge comes down to how you handle it.

Descent 52

Descent Runway Rudder Pilot 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024

Many airplanes from the golden age of aviation came with heel brakes, such as Piper Cubs and Aeronca Champs. These were small pedals at the base of the rudder pedals that give the same differential control as toe brakes, but you push your heels in for brake application. For that matter, we’re not all flying around with toe brakes.

Rudder 52

Rudder Runway Altimeter Pilot 52

Northstar VFR

AUGUST 11, 2024

There are phases of flight when it’s critical that you know how to handle the airplane at slower speeds. Departure and arrival are two of the most critical phases of a flight and involves flying the airplane slow while being very close to the ground. When an airplane exceeds its critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall happens.

Checkride 52

Checkride Airplanes Pilot AGL 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. The accident airplane was the last one among a group of five, and two landings had been performed without incident.

Final Approach 52

Final Approach Airplanes Drag Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Common mistakes include neglecting clearing turns, delaying stall recovery, and misusing the rudder. The stall warning horn sounds at least 5 knots above the actual stall speed. Since you need to fly without triggering the warning, select a target airspeed of about 2 to 5 knots more. Use the rudder to stay coordinated.

Lift 52

Lift Rudder Drag Checkride 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Even at 60 knots over VY, we were still climbing at a rate that would shock the private students we’d just left below and behind in the pattern. With each wiggle and movement, the airplane bobbed accordingly, just dying to do something other than the relatively gentle climb I’d commanded for the last three minutes.

Aileron 52

Aileron Rudder Airplanes Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

In the Cessna 172S Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), the landing distance decreases by 10% for every 9 knots of headwind. For the Cessna 172, landing distance increases by 10% for every 2 knots of tailwind. For the Cessna 172S, we fly a short-field approach with full flaps at 61 knots.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 52

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

To learn all the maneuvers you’ll need to perform on your practical test, check out Airplane Maneuvers Mastery for more. Proper rudder use is required to counter adverse yaw to maintain coordinated flight. The Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) for your airplane will list V A , typically for maximum gross weight. Clear the area.

Lift 52

Lift Aileron Drag Pilot 52

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. The FAA weather said a thunderstorm was forecast, gusts to 6 knots. And on short final at Knoxville, I got chirps from a flock of unrecognized electronic birds, telling me something but not in airplane-speak.

Weather 52

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 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

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

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Or how do modern airplanes reduce dangerous effects like aileron flutter or adverse yaw? Adverse yaw is a side effect of aileron use, countered by rudder input. Unstable aircraft designs are better suited for high-maneuverability aircraft like aerobatic stunt airplanes or military fighters. This is where the rudder comes in.

Aileron 87

Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 87

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

This is a hard one to gain insight from other than this: Some atmospheric events are bigger than our plastic airplanes. This is consistent with Rick’s report, which referenced 9 knots of wind. A sudden gust of 50 knots would have caused a stall unless he had been flying at about 100 knots indicated.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Air Facts

AUGUST 26, 2024

Now it’s time to look at VFR pilots, and to spare you the suspense, the answer is similarly prosaic: loss of control on landing damages more airplanes than any other accident scenario. That means every day in the summer somewhere between two and five airplanes are damaged—just on landing! What can be done? First, some perspective.

Knot 98

Knot Runway Airplanes Pilot 98

Air Facts

JUNE 21, 2024

This school owned no airplanes—all the aircraft were “lease-backs,” by owners. On my one and only flight with the young flight school co-founder, he suddenly slammed the airplane into a 60-degree left bank and pulled aggressively, saying “What do you think of this ?’’ And a knot is 1.15 I looked at him. He looked greenish.

Rudder 75

Rudder Crosswind Knot Airplanes 75