Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

As you approach the airport, monitor UNICOM for landing or departing traffic. Another performance factor is the approach speed. The slower the approach, the shorter the landing distance. Many aircraft have specific recommended normal and short-field approach speeds. It will allow you to fine-tune your approach.

NOTAMs 52

NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 52

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 9, 2024

For example, if you’re holding at 100 knots and have a 10-knot tailwind on the outbound leg, the outbound leg should be shorter than one minute because you’ll have a headwind on the inbound leg. The pilot will fly a specific entry based on the sector from which they approach the holding fix. Step 3: Where to place your thumb.

VOR 52

VOR Approach Pilot Crosswind 52

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 2, 2024

This system includes modes for: roll pitch heading vertical speed altitude hold approach These modes allow for a steady rate of descent, ascent, and consistent speed and altitude ranges. For instance, Knots 2U offers a Cessna 172 Cowl / Body Fairing Kit that improves aerodynamics and can increase cruise speed by 3-4 mph.

Knot 52

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight 52

Air Facts

MAY 6, 2024

We were cruising at about the same speed the Cessna could manage which was 105 knots. She was on a left upwind leg to the airport, and would have to make crosswind, downwind, base and final legs to get set up to land. The wind was out of the north at about 10 knots, so landing to the south was not an option.

Runway 75

Runway Crosswind Airplanes Knot 75

Air Facts

AUGUST 26, 2024

Consider the Cherokee pilot in Wisconsin who approached too fast: “The pilot reported that during the landing at the destination airport, the airplane floated down the runway, landed long, and did not slow as expected. Repeat at 55 or 75 knots for more practice (or whatever airspeed works for your airplane). Neither one is good.

Knot 86

Knot Runway Airplanes Pilot 86

AeroSavvy

JANUARY 16, 2024

Pilots often “refresh” METARs when approaching an airport with poor weather to monitor trends and have the most current decision-making information available. Winds over 15 knots are indicated by flashing yellow lights. They all follow the same format. C ( 12°F)/-11.0°C Airline dispatchers read and speak fluent METAR.

Weather 52

Weather Ceiling Knot Visual Flight Rules 52

Air Facts

MAY 24, 2024

With a little forward pressure on the yoke, I was able to keep the airplane on the runway to continue picking up airspeed as we arrived at my target of 60 knots for takeoff. As soon as we hit 60 knots indicated, I lightly pulled back on the yoke and the airplane popped right off the ground. Approach switched me to Tower.

Aileron 72

Aileron Crosswind Knot Runway 72

Air Facts

JUNE 21, 2024

I taxied the Cessna 172 out, took off, and approached the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River, like in John Denver’s song “Country Roads” except for a lot more propeller noise. One time, walking back to the FBO from the airplane after about what seemed like his hundreth dual flight, he turned and asked me “How fast is a knot?”

Rudder 76

Rudder Crosswind Knot Aileron 76

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

The weather briefing we had reviewed a half hour earlier promised a 20-knot headwind that would require two fuel stops on the 130-mile trip from our home airport in Kennett, Missouri (KTKX), to Little Rock Air Force Base (KLRF) in Arkansas. The windsock promised that getting the little yellow bird into the air would be a white-knuckle affair.

Runway 70

Runway Crosswind Rudder Approach 70

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

A bad approach results in a bad landing. A go-around is a maneuver performed to abort or reject a landing on the final approach or once the aircraft has already touched down. Top Reasons for Go-Arounds Unstabilized Approach An aircraft must have a stabilized approach before landing. What Is a Go-Around?

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 19, 2024

A 60-degree bank increases stall speed by 20 knots, three knots above the best glide speed. At a typical ground speed of 70 knots, your turn diameter will be approximately 0.7 Increased ground speed gives you little time to prepare for a safe approach and landing. The goal is to head back and land on the runway.

AGL 52

AGL Runway Descent Lift 52