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Alaska Airlines Flight 261: Investigating what caused the tragedy

Aerotime

The trim on the horizontal stabilizer – the rear wing of the aircraft – was not working. Then the tone indicating the movement of the horizontal stabilizer sounded. Los Angeles air traffic control handed the plane over to approach control in preparation for its arrival at LAX. Sadly, though, it was not to be.

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Examining over 100 years of flight automation and the history of the autopilot

Aerotime

The 56 aircraft that participated in the 1914 competition presented a wide range of aviation innovations, ranging from assisted starting mechanisms, automatic carburetors, basic stabilization systems, and many other innovations that purported to benefit aviation safety.

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Mastering Stalls: How to Recognize, Prevent, and Recover Safely

Flight Training Central

Practicing stalls will also help you learn the low airspeed flight characteristics of the airplane, and how to control the airplane at low airspeeds which is what you will encounter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern and approaching to land. At the normal approach speed, lower the nose to the approach pitch attitude.

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10 Must-Read Books for Aviation History Fans

Plane and Pilot

Why its important: This biography rightfully frames the Wrights as systematic inventors who used a disciplined approach to engineering challenges. Langewiesche provides one of the clearest expositions of aerodynamics and flight control, breaking down concepts like angle of attack, lift, stability, and stalls.

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What Every Pilot Needs to Know about the Airplane Rudder

Northstar VFR

More right rudder!!” The airplane rudder is one of the most misunderstood of the primary flight controls. Yet the rudder is one of the most important and one of the most under-utilized. The rudder’s most important function is controlling the yaw of the aircraft, which moves the nose of the plane left and right.

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Top 10 Mistakes Student Pilots Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Inflight Pilot Training

This leads to unstable approaches, excessive pitch changes, and increased workload in the cockpit. Why It Happens: Nervousness and lack of trust in the aircrafts stability. Struggling with Crosswind Landings The Mistake: Many student pilots struggle with crosswind landings due to incorrect rudder use or improper control inputs.

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The Unfulfilled Promise of the Fairchild T-46

Flying Magazine

However, as the 1980s approached, so did the end of the T-37’s projected life cycle, and military leaders determined a more modern replacement was needed. Courtesy: Fairchild] The selection of twin vertical stabilizers for the T-46 is an interesting one.