Remove Airplanes Remove Stability Remove Weight-Shift-Control
article thumbnail

Examining over 100 years of flight automation and the history of the autopilot

Aerotime

Nowadays, modern aircraft are equipped with systems that can not only fly the aircraft but can also perform fully automated take-offs and landings and can even provide protection systems in the event of unusual flight situations that threaten the safety of the airplane and its occupants. What is an autopilot?

article thumbnail

How to Read a Windsock

Pilot Institute

Stability : The gradual narrowing of the windsock helps stabilize it in various wind conditions, reducing erratic movement and providing clearer readings. The best windsocks strike a balance between weight and strength. Wind Speed Measurement : As the wind speed increases, it progressively fills and extends the sock.

Knot 98
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

What Are Common Part 107 Test Questions?

Flying Magazine

The remote pilot must have prior authorization from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility having jurisdiction over that airspace. The remote pilot must monitor the Air Traffic Control (ATC) frequency from launch to recovery. The remote pilot must contact the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility after launching the unmanned aircraft.

article thumbnail

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?

Aileron 90
article thumbnail

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

Pilot Institute

Aircraft Weight and Limitations An aircraft’s weight affects inertia and stopping distance. The POH lists landing distances for specific gross weights. Smaller aircraft may only have short field landing distances for maximum gross weight. This gives you a safe buffer on the stall speed and plenty of time to stabilize.

article thumbnail

How to Improve Your Landings

Pilot Institute

Watch out for some common mistakes, such as over-controlling and reacting incorrectly to visual cues. The easiest way to achieve this is by flying a stabilized approach. So, what is a stabilized approach? A stabilized approach requires the pilot to establish and maintain a constant angle glidepath towards an aiming point.

Descent 52
article thumbnail

What Is a Flat Spin?

Pilot Institute

Key Takeaways A flat spin is a dangerous, level-flight spin with reduced control effectiveness. A flat spin happens when the center of gravity shifts too far aft (toward the tail), and the aircraft’s rotation becomes more horizontal. Ready to become a safer pilot? Let’s get started! An aft center of gravity increases flat spin risk.