Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

I was still in a pretty rapid descent. While still in a descent, soon to crash into the trees, I turned to look. Settling down, buckling my belt, and enjoying my climb back to 3,000 feet, I got to thinking about whether I could have slowed or stopped my descent with the trim tab. I was in a controlled descent.

Descent 84

Descent Lift Runway Cockpit 84

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 74

Approach Airplanes Horizontal Stabilizer Pilot 74

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 2, 2024

Cockpit and Avionics Sitting in the cockpit of a Cessna 172, one is immediately struck by the advanced Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite that dominates the instrument panel. First introduced in 2005, this all-glass cockpit revolutionized the flying experience for pilots by providing a comprehensive and intuitive interface.

Knot 52

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight 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.

Runway 66

Runway Gross Weight Airplanes Pilot 66

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 70

Runway Crosswind Rudder Approach 70

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 73

General Aviation Pilot Approach Runway 73

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 Cockpit 40