Air Facts

MAY 24, 2024

Centerline, centerline, centerline Air Facts Journal It was a beautiful May day as we grabbed the tow bar to pull the 1981 Cessna 182 out of the hangar. The only thing that caught my attention was a 90 degree crosswind coming from the east that was gusting to 11 or 12 knots. My left crosswind became left downwind very quickly.

Aileron 98

Aileron Crosswind Knot Runway 98

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Kentland has a 4,000-foot runway, east/west, with a crosswind straight out of the north. Next morning, I was looking for where a front would be thinnest, so the flight plan had a big 90-degree turn in it after penetrating the front visually. The upper Midwest scenery can be spectacular. I was glad that I had contingency packed.

Weather 74

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 74

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 23, 2025

Before heading to the plane, you might have a chance to cover basic principles of flight, and will certainly discuss current weather conditions, safety protocols, and the days flight plan. This hands-on process involves using a standardized checklist to examine the aircraft with the aim of ensuring flight safety.

Rudder 97

Rudder Descent Pilot Runway 97

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Kentland has a 4,000-foot runway, east/west, with a crosswind straight out of the north. Next morning, I was looking for where a front would be thinnest, so the flight plan had a big 90-degree turn in it after penetrating the front visually. The upper Midwest scenery can be spectacular. I was glad that I had contingency packed.

Weather 52

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 52

Air Facts

AUGUST 21, 2024

In fact, we have a window over the stove that looks into the hangar. I stop at the departure end, letting the GRT Mini EFIS finish aligning, double-checking my radio and flight plan are all set. A cruise climb as I make my crosswind turn, then downwind, more radio calls on the way.

Groundspeed 98

Groundspeed Runway Approach Crosswind 98

Plane and Pilot

JULY 2, 2024

Too many pilots have believed the brochure brag of a 700-mile range and have flight planned accordingly, to their eventual regret. I have one airplane in my hangar that can only carry 500 pounds of payload with the fuel tanks topped off—that’s it, if I’m going to respect the max-takeoff-weight limit, and I will.

Density Altitude 58

Density Altitude Airplanes Wind Shear Pilot 58

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 11, 2024

During flight planning, I determined that 8,000 feet would provide the best wind advantage of the available preferred westbound IFR cruise altitudes. I was intrigued by what appeared to be a grass crosswind runway at North Bass Island, but no such runway is listed in official publications. This airport is a mere 1.4

Runway 82

Runway Approach Knot Drag 82