Vintage Aviation News

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

(Wright State University) The original configuration of the Bell Model 68 was an open cockpit all-metal monoplane with fixed landing gear that was powered by two Armstrong Siddeley Viper turbojet engines with thrust deflectors located at the aircraft’s center of gravity.

Thrust 72

Thrust Center of Gravity Descent Cockpit 72

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 23, 2024

An aft center of gravity increases flat spin risk. A flat spin happens when the center of gravity shifts too far aft (toward the tail), and the aircraft’s rotation becomes more horizontal. Some aircraft can enter flat spins even if their center of gravity is in the normal range.

Center of Gravity 98

Center of Gravity Weight-Shift-Control Aileron Rudder 98

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

In recent times, composite materials have been introduced for flight controls even in small general aviation aircraft. Fly-by-wire is expensive, so you wont find it on most small general aviation aircraft. Most of the ailerons mass lies behind the hinge, making it tail-heavy. What Materials Are Used in Ailerons?

Aileron 90

Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

High camber generally promotes more airflow deflection, thanks to something called Bernoullis Principle. This is why the typical airfoil shape has a curved top and a flat bottom, especially in slower-speed general aviation aircraft. The tail rotor pushes air to one side ( action ), and the tail moves the other way ( reaction ).

Lift 52

Lift Thrust Torque Aileron 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Placing the center of gravity ahead of the aircraft’s center of lift improves longitudinal stability. Doing so provides more lateral stability since the aircraft’s Center of Gravity (CG) lies below the wings. Tail Design Larger, more effective stabilizers provide stronger restoring forces.

Stability 52

Stability Center of Gravity Aileron Rudder 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

With the engines decided, the rest of the airplane’s general size and mass fell into place. True, a slightly higher aspect ratio wing was desired, which in turn required a larger vertical tail and thus a little extra mass, but the size, approximately 20% larger than a Widgeon, was set.

Airplanes 80

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 80