Remove Center of Gravity Remove Stability Remove Tail
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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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Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Bell X-14

Vintage Aviation News

(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.

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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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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. As with any landing, it’s vital to have a stabilized approach. If you’re not stabilized at 200 feet AGL, go around. Make sure not to pull back too hard, or you could cause a tail strike.

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Everything You Need To Know About Ailerons

Pilot Institute

What Is Aircraft Stability? Stability is the aircrafts tendency to maintain its attitude or orientation. This means that they have to be effective enough to counter the aircrafts inherent lateral stability. Lateral stability depends on the aircrafts design. This shifts the ailerons Center of Gravity (C.G.)

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What Is a Flat Spin?

Pilot Institute

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.

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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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