Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

The J-4’s cockpit is wider than the more common J-3, and the second generation brought about the replacement of the open cowl with exposed exhaust ports with a fully enclosed cowl. I watched the stick flutter to and fro in sync with the rudder pedals as Wilkins fought to maintain the centerline, all the while pushing in the throttle.

Runway 82

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 82

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 3, 2024

As the jet is slowed, the instructor pilot asks the entire flight crew to note the unnatural quiet in the cockpit, the sluggish control and power response, and the buffeting. If the engine does not restart, maintaining the descent and a margin above the critical angle of attack is a better bet than stalling.

Approach 60

Approach Airplanes Horizontal Stabilizer Pilot 60

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 12, 2025

Primary Flight Controls The primary controls of a small plane are the yoke, rudder pedals, and throttle. Rudder pedals help manage yaw, which keeps the aircraft aligned during turns or crosswinds. It requires managing descent rates, aligning with the runway, and controlling speed for a smooth touchdown.

Weather 52

Weather Pilot Rudder Drag 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

We continued our descent for a couple of seconds and then he began a turn again to the left towards the taxiway. When power was added, there were brief pitch oscillations before the plane departed the left side of the runway, as if P-factor and lack of right rudder input were present. That variety may require multiple initiatives.

Gross Weight 98

Gross Weight Runway Airplanes Pilot 98

Air Facts

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Beginning almost forty years ago, I spent time in the cockpit with a series of pilots whose influence I have only recently started to appreciate. Beginning almost forty years ago, I spent time in the cockpit with a series of pilots whose influence I have only recently started to appreciate. I’ve been a lucky man, indeed.

NDB 52

NDB Checkride VOR Approach 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

Under normal circumstances Shmulik would have had sufficient altitude to delay the landing by several minutes: his glider’s minimum descent rate in still air was just 100 fpm. Even a more typical descent rate of 200 fpm would have allowed Shmulik to hold for about 5-7 minutes before he would have had to proceed with the landing.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

One more gadget in the cockpit cannot remedy deficits in skill, judgement, and attitude. This descent used the same technique that (would have) had value in many of the NTSB accidents involving engine failure after takeoff. Optimum” glide was not the issue here, and a visual AOA indicator would have had no value.

General Aviation 97

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes 97

Professional Pilot

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

“Twenty years ago, Garmin redefined the general aviation cockpit with the G1000, our first integrated flight deck. Ten years later, we introduced the G3000, bringing the first touch screens to the light turbine cockpit, and revolutionary technologies like the award-winning Garmin Autoland.

Flight Deck 52

Flight Deck Cockpit Runway Stability 52

Professional Pilot

JULY 3, 2024

It started out as a routine engine failure, but escalated rapidly when we began to smell what we thought at first was smoke, but which turned out to be oil, in the cockpit. Thinking we could be on fire, we initiated a 7000-fpm descent. Little thought is given to the fact that a 7000-fpm descent will fog the windows.

Pilot 40

Pilot Runway NOTAMs TWR 40

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

An elegantly simple rope system inside the fuselage raises and lowers the Gweduck’s water rudder mounted inside the base of the main rudder (right). After squeezing through the landing gear houses I settled into the right seat for our evaluation flights because frankly, this is a complex airplane with a complex cockpit.

Airplanes 59

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 59