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

Aerotime

His system would provide an aircraft with automatic stability and control mechanism, through the control of the ailerons, stabilizer, and tail rudder through the use of a set of simple gyroscopes. As the French mechanic slid himself along the wing of the aircraft, shifting its center of gravity, the aircraft became unbalanced.

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How to Make a Perfect Soft Field Landing Every Time

Pilot Institute

This tendency is due to their high center of gravity and heavy engine over the nose wheel. Unlike paved runways, every soft landing surface is different. Obstructions: Ensure the runway is clear of obstacles, from stones to animals. You can walk down the length of the runway.

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The Hazards of Aircraft Icing: Explained

Pilot Institute

Remember that wings, propeller blades, and tail surfaces are airfoil-shaped. Additional Dangers of Ice Accumulation Icing also makes your aircraft heavier and can even change the position of the center of gravity. Many aircraft have heated leading edges on the wings, tail, and propellers.

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The Role of Newton’s Third Law in Aviation

Pilot Institute

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.

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Mastering Crosswind Landings (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Pilot Institute

When the wind is blowing across the runway instead of along it, things get more challenging. However, the wind rarely aligns perfectly with the runway. Touching down with the aircraft’s longitudinal axis aligned with the runway. If the pilot makes no corrections, the aircraft gets blown off the runway centerline.

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COMBAT VIETNAM: The Threat Inside My Aircraft

Vintage Aviation News

We strapped into the cockpit, completed routine checks and procedures, started the engines, and taxied to the end of the runway. Load’s” relatively safe haven high in the tail section left him hanging upside down on steel-wire control cables, emulating a tree sloth. This is Saigon. Bookie on Alpha cleared for takeoff.”

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Today in Aviation History: First flight of the Short Sunderland Flying Boat

Vintage Aviation News

The tail turret evolved into a powered version, incorporating four Browning machine guns. These enhancements, along with an increased center of gravity adjustment through the addition of forward ballast, ensured that the Sunderland could effectively defend itself while maintaining balance during flight.