Northstar VFR

OCTOBER 27, 2024

By Leslie Caubble, CFI/IGI My checkrides have always had at least one element of surprise to them. On my Commercial checkride, this happened during the oral exam. The FAA isn’t out to get you on your checkride. I passed on the first attempt, but it was a great reminder how thorough we need to be in our checkride preparation.

Longitudinal Axis 59

Longitudinal Axis Pitot Tube Checkride Pilot 59

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

Lazy eights sound like the least challenging commercial checkride maneuver to learn. The higher speed creates extra lift, causing the airplane to bank further into the turn. The aileron on the right wing deflects down, increasing the camber and creating more lift. The left wing’s aileron deflects up, decreasing lift.

Rudder 52

Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

A smaller bank angle will result in more lift, while an increased bank angle will reduce the lift. As an aircraft banks, lift is divided into horizontal and vertical components. The horizontal component of lift causes the aircraft to turn. Combining both components of lift, the total lift required increases.

Lift 52

Lift Aileron Drag Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

They are also one of the most feared maneuvers during the private pilot checkride. The local altimeter setting is 29.65, the temperature is 25°C, and we have a 9-knot headwind. Subtract the altimeter setting from 29.92, multiply it by 1,000, and add that to the field elevation. Reducing lift puts more weight on the wheels.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 52

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 2, 2024

Icing Icing on the aerofoil disrupts the smooth airflow over the wings that produce lift. This decrease in lift has the potential to cause the aircraft to stall. Increasing altitude – read from your altimeter. Decreasing altitude – read from your altimeter. Decreasing altitude – read from your altimeter.

Altimeter 52

Altimeter Turbulence Descent Lift 52