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The Difference Between Category, Class, and Type of Aircraft

Pilot Institute

Key Takeaways Category is the broadest grouping based on aircraft use, like airplane, glider, or rotorcraft. Heres a quick summary: Category: The broadest classification of aircraft based on their intended use and operating environment, such as airplane, glider, or helicopter (rotorcraft). no control surfaces).

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How to Read a Windsock

Pilot Institute

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. Extended halfway: Winds are around 7-8 knots. Fully Extended : Winds are strong, likely 15 knots or higher. What Is a Windsock and Its Purpose? Why is this important?

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There’s Something Essential in the Bank

Flying Magazine

The ability to bank is essential to controlled flight. Otto Lilienthal did it by shifting his weight, but for the much larger Wright Flyer the solution was to make one wing produce more lift than the other by twisting them in opposite directions. But it cannot have been quite so obvious then.

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Mastering Short Field Landings (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Pilot Institute

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. Aircraft Weight and Limitations An aircraft’s weight affects inertia and stopping distance.

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How to Improve Your Landings

Pilot Institute

Watch out for some common mistakes, such as over-controlling and reacting incorrectly to visual cues. Flying at 60 knots? Approach Path Control Energy Management How to Improve Approach Path Control Using Ground References Your pattern work will improve the more you standardize it. Two key aspects make good approaches.

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Everything You Need To Know About Ailerons

Pilot Institute

These control surfaces dictate the aircraft’s roll, and this allows it to bank smoothly through turns or even recover from turbulence. Have you ever wondered how pilots keep control at high speeds, during stalls, or even when systems fail? Or how do modern airplanes reduce dangerous effects like aileron flutter or adverse yaw?

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A History of the Warbird Heritage Foundation’s Great Lakes Corsair for Sale

Vintage Aviation News

Some lucky new owner will undoubtedly treasure it, but the airplane underwent a lot of changes on it’s journey to the stunning warbird it is today. Aerodynamic mods include sealed cowl flaps, metalized control surfaces, and wingtips that were clipped three feet eight inches on each side.