Plane and Pilot

MARCH 25, 2025

A steam gauge airspeed indicator, Garmin G3X, autopilot, Garmin G5, transponder, fuel selector, accelerometer, and steam gauge altimeter were centered directly in front of me. The Texas winds were gusting anywhere from 15-25 knots, and like other aerobatic airplanes, the canopy can be easily blown off. Sounds good. Takeoff Over 50-ft.

Knot 111

Knot Airplanes Runway Rudder 111

Fear of Landing

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

The wing tip struck the runway after which the wing and the tail separated and the fuel from the wing caught fire. The wing tip then struck the ground, at which point the wing and the tail section broke. The wing and tail on runway 23 as photographed by Brennan Milroy (CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Runway 59

Runway Tail Knot Altimeter 59

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 2, 2024

Notable design changes included the introduction of a swept tail design in 1960 and a new cowl design in 1961, which improved aerodynamics and performance. Another interesting model is the 172RG Cutlass RG, which features retractable landing gear and a more powerful Lycoming O-360-F1A6 engine, offering a cruise speed of 140 knots.

Knot 98

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight 98

Fear of Landing

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

I pony-tail my long hair, disheveled by the tempest brewing across much of central Canada, and say, “We’re in for a treat today. Surface winds are already thirty knots gusting to forty-five. Forecast much stronger, up to one hundred knots.” “My calculations agree with the DME readout of seventy knots.”

Weather 98

Weather Knot Pilot Distance Measuring Equipment 98

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

A 10-knot tailwind was also in our favor as the Cessna tracked around 150 knots over the ground. Mine was to keep us at 1,300 feet, hugging the right side of the Hudson River, and listen for our tail number. His was to watch for traffic, take pictures, and monitor that my altimeter stayed at 1,300 feet msl.

Clearance 52

Clearance Approach Knot Altimeter 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

A 10-knot tailwind was also in our favor as the Cessna tracked around 150 knots over the ground. Mine was to keep us at 1,300 feet, hugging the right side of the Hudson River, and listen for our tail number. His was to watch for traffic, take pictures, and monitor that my altimeter stayed at 1,300 feet msl.

Clearance 52

Clearance Approach Knot Altimeter 52

Fear of Landing

OCTOBER 18, 2024

The wind favoured runway 22, as usual, but at only 5-7 knots, it wasn’t really a factor. When I saw the altimeter start to climb I raised the landing gear and let out the breath I’d apparently been holding. However, just as the altimeter started to climb, the Baron faltered. Dinner was excellent.”

Runway 52

Runway Altimeter Pilot Lift 52