Air Facts

JULY 15, 2024

I did a checkride in 30 knot winds in the flatlands of Kansas, almost straight down the runway. It felt like pushing it for that airplane, but checkrides are so hard to schedule I went. Several times I’ve landed smoothly in a strong crosswind, then had trouble keeping the airplane on the runway. More likely it’s random.

Knot 75

Knot Crosswind Rudder Runway 75

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

Lazy eights sound like the least challenging commercial checkride maneuver to learn. We counteract adverse yaw by applying rudder in the direction of the turn. The amount of rudder required depends on roll rate and airspeed. Airspeed and attitude change constantly, and we must change rudder input along with them.

Rudder 52

Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

They are also one of the most feared maneuvers during the private pilot checkride. Will you need a crosswind correction? If conducting a checkride, you might blow past the stopping point, which could result in a failure. Use the rudder to keep the aircraft in line with the runway and apply aileron into the wind.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Descent 52

Northstar VFR

APRIL 21, 2024

So, knock out that Commercial checkride, and hopefully in a relatively fast timeline, start on the CFI prep. I know many students who did a simple 10 hours or so in the right seat and went into their checkride. Remember, once you take your checkride and pass, you can legally start instructing right away. Pretty straightforward.

Checkride 55

Checkride Airplanes Pilot Crosswind 55

Air Facts

AUGUST 26, 2024

In fact, I believe most pilots need fewer stalls and more slow flight in their training diet (at least after the Private checkride). Of course wind can be a challenge, and crosswind landings often top the list of pilots’ least favorite maneuver, but that’s no excuse.

Knot 86

Knot Runway Airplanes Pilot 86