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.

article thumbnail

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Sage Type 3

Vintage Aviation News

Designed to be a training aircraft for the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), the Sage Type 3 reveals the story of how a department store outfitter mobilized to build airplanes for the Royal Navy during WWI. The company that would build the Sage Type 3 had existed even before the invention of the airplane.

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

How to Read a Windsock

Pilot Institute

The best windsocks strike a balance between weight and strength. A well-installed windsock should rotate freely on bearings, allowing it to turn smoothly as the wind direction shifts. In such situations, you should check for additional wind information from the tower controllers or automated systems. Why is this important?

Knot 98
article thumbnail

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.

Aileron 108
article thumbnail

Pilot Safety Simplified: Proficiency vs. Currency Explained

Pilot Institute

And during these maneuvers, you need to: Act as the sole manipulator of the flight controls. Do your landings to a full stop in a tailwheel-equipped aircraft if youre flying a tailwheel airplane. Youd be far less likely to lose control in unexpected situations when you stay proficient. These five are the most common root causes.

Pilot 52
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

Java Jive

AV Web

They have a few easily recognizable traits that include bragging about how much their airplane cost, denigrating other pilots whether they know them or not, playing irritating talk radio opinion shows way too loud in their hangars, and not being kind to the line crew and other team members at the airport. I would not allow it.