Plane and Pilot

MARCH 25, 2025

Although I havent spent much time around GB1s (except for drooling over them while they are on display and flying at airshows) I am always taken aback by how much larger the airplane appears to be in personparticularly, the tall, sweeping rudder that curves down to a sharp point with just enough ground clearance. Sounds good.

Knot 111

Knot Airplanes Runway Rudder 111

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

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. The lift imbalance causes the roll. This drag imbalance amplifies the adverse yaw.

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

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. These stick and rudder skills will help you with crosswind landings.

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

Fear of Landing

OCTOBER 18, 2024

My feet danced on the rudder pedals as I fought to keep the plane going straight down the runway. As my speed increased I lifted the nose of the plane slightly prior to takeoff, but when I did that the nose blocked the few centerline stripes that were my only visual cues to keep going straight. But I had it. Dinner was excellent.”

Runway 52

Runway Altimeter Pilot Lift 52