Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Just to be clear, although I avoid flying in “hard” IFR, all of my IFR practice includes approaches to minimums, go-arounds, and holding patterns—just in case. Kentland has a 4,000-foot runway, east/west, with a crosswind straight out of the north. Soft” IFR is what you plan for, and “hard” IFR is what you might get.

Weather 82

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 82

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 27, 2025

From misjudging the flare to battling crosswinds, these mistakes can challenge pilots of all experience levels. This article dives into the most prevalent landing errors, shedding light on why they occur and how they can sneak into even the most carefully executed approaches. This climbing during the roundout is known as ballooning.

Airplanes 89

Airplanes Runway Accelerated Stall Lift 89

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

As we pushed back, the colors popped on the various tails parked down the row of gates, and we sat in line for takeoff with the low sun angle perfectly lighting a yellow Spirit Airbus against an ominous dark sky, save for the rainbow that arched high across the vista. As we approached the gate, my phone rang again.

Runway 52

Runway Approach Knot Jet 52

Northstar VFR

JULY 21, 2024

As air flows over it, a force like lift results, and the tail is pulled in the opposite direction of the deflection. But instead of an upward force of lift on a wing, it’s a horizontal force pushing the tail of the plane causing the nose of the plane to move left and right. This is especially vital during crosswind landings.

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Rudder Airplanes Pilot Stability 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. 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.

Knot 98

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight 98

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

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Just to be clear, although I avoid flying in “hard” IFR, all of my IFR practice includes approaches to minimums, go-arounds, and holding patterns—just in case. Kentland has a 4,000-foot runway, east/west, with a crosswind straight out of the north. Soft” IFR is what you plan for, and “hard” IFR is what you might get.

Weather 52

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 52

Photographic Logbook

JULY 6, 2024

It is an old school approach and feels like a throwback to my earlier flying days. Specifically, I was told by Potomac Approach in 2023, "I cannot give you direct to destination out of College Park." Airport Incognito While still on with Harrisburg Approach, the inevitable IFR re-route came. miles from the US Capitol building.

Pilot 52

Pilot Flight Plan Air Traffic Control General Aviation 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Most of the ailerons mass lies behind the hinge, making it tail-heavy. Tail-heavy ailerons droop downwards when they arent being pulled by the control system. potentially reverting the aileron back into a tail-heavy state. The downside of this approach is a lack of redundancy.

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Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

Helicopters use a small rotor mounted on the tail that produces sideways thrust to counter the main rotors torque reaction. The tail rotor pushes air to one side ( action ), and the tail moves the other way ( reaction ). Other Designs The tail rotor is not the only way to solve the torque reaction problem.

Lift 52

Lift Thrust Torque Aileron 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2024

In this article, we’ll cover all you need to know to confidently master crosswind landings. Key Takeaways Manage crosswind landing challenges using the crab and sideslip techniques. Plan for crosswind conditions with step-by-step procedures. Learn to avoid common mistakes during approach, roundout, touchdown, and rollout.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Longitudinal Axis Aileron Rudder 52

Air Facts

AUGUST 21, 2024

As I approach 10 nm out, I make a call on 122.7 The radio is quiet as I approach, and the turn to the 45 degree entry is easy and smooth. As I watch the white dashes flash past beneath the nostrils of the Sonex, the tail comes up. A cruise climb as I make my crosswind turn, then downwind, more radio calls on the way.

Groundspeed 98

Groundspeed Runway Approach Crosswind 98

Air Facts

DECEMBER 6, 2024

Packed with incredible scenesrepairing a damaged Zeppelin by crawling out to the tail thousands of feet over the North Atlantic; building an island in the South Pacific to service flying boatsits one of my favorite books of any genre in recent years. Is that crosswind too strong? that should be approached with the scout mindset.

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Pilot Weather Airplanes Approach 96

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

I chose runway 14 (the UGN crosswind runway) and the crash and resuce vehicles moved onto the adjacent taxiway. We slowed, tapped the tail first, and the nose came down solidly, causing the now open passenger door to come off in Diane’s hand. There was no one else on the taxiways or in the airspace. And she was not kidding.

Pilot 98

Pilot Descent Runway Crosswind 98

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

Thaws, rain, snow, and strong crosswinds can temporarily close the airport. Not Cool, Man After transitioning across multiple sectors of Boston Center's vast airspace, the home stretch found us on with Boston Approach under a crisp, blue New Hampshire sky. Despite its acclaim, the ephemeral airport leads a finicky existence.

Runway 68

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 68

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 7, 2025

Once youre used to those key differences, flying and landing a Stearman (without much crosswind, wink wink) is just as enjoyable, if not more, than a Cub. But my recommendation is to find a very early Bonanza for your first V-tail experience. The Cessna 195 is known for its round tail and flashy looks.

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Airplanes Tail Pilot Jet 98

Plane and Pilot

DECEMBER 16, 2024

Planespotters note the F2’s separate ailerons and flaps, conventional tail. Out back, theres an entirely new tail. Theres an unusual duck tail between the two elevator halves that provides a measure of anti-stall behavior. You might ask what happens with crosswind landings when you take away rudder authority.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Rudder Aileron Crosswind 98

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

But it was apparent the smallest Grumman flying boat was too small and full of quirks—the cabin door won’t open if the flaps are down, for example—to justify something approaching a direct copy. The Mallard—it’s a trike—has a tail stinger because it otherwise falls on its tail when loading.”

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Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 80

AV Web

APRIL 15, 2025

As he approached the herd, with the intention of driving the cattle into the corral, the bull departed and headed toward an area covered with heavy mesquite brush. It had cut into the tail rotor gearbox, tearing it off the helicopter. Im roped in, Sam. The pilot observed the wire wrapped around the helicopter.

Pilot 52

Pilot Airplanes Runway Descent 52