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

Vintage Aviation News

JANUARY 30, 2025

A short 18 months later, on August 13, 1937, the XPB2Y-1 took to the skies for the first time, revealing plenty of room for improvement lateral instability was a major problem for the deep-hulled boat, so the single tail fin was augmented by two smaller fins on the horizontal stabilizers. “Very little,” the gunner reported.

Horizontal Stabilizer 111

Horizontal Stabilizer Final Approach Tail Runway 111

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. Micro vortex generators are also a popular upgrade, optimizing airflow over the wing and tail surfaces to enhance control.

Knot 98

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight 98

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. 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