Air Facts

JULY 15, 2024

Though wind is reported using such simple numbers like 270@15G20, I’ve come to believe that 20 knots here is not always the same as 20 knots there. I did a checkride in 30 knot winds in the flatlands of Kansas, almost straight down the runway. Then came the landing in 20 knots in the Hill Country of Texas, west of Austin.

Crosswind 97

Crosswind Knot Rudder Turbulence 97

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 12, 2025

Many years ago, while working my way through college pumping avgas at the local airport, I discovered that one of our university deans owned a diminutive two-seat, twin-tailed airplanean Ercoupe. ERCO), Weick refined the design into the low-wing, twin-tailed beauty whose distinctive looks are unmistakable.

Rudder 101

Rudder Tail Crosswind Airplanes 101

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 2, 2024

Notable design changes included the introduction of a swept tail design in 1960 and a new cowl design in 1961, which improved aerodynamics and performance. Another interesting model is the 172RG Cutlass RG, which features retractable landing gear and a more powerful Lycoming O-360-F1A6 engine, offering a cruise speed of 140 knots.

Knot 98

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight 98

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 19, 2024

That is the story of the Bellanca Aries T-250, an efficient, T-tailed travel machine that rivaled the Beechcraft Bonanza and Piper Comanche in speed, load-carrying capacity, and elegant design. Their first design, the Anderson Greenwood AG-14, was a 90 hp, twin-tailed, two-seat pusher. So how does this efficient bird fly?

Tail 76

Tail Airplanes Crosswind Stability 76

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 7, 2025

Once youre used to those key differences, flying and landing a Stearman (without much crosswind, wink wink) is just as enjoyable, if not more, than a Cub. Cruising around 200 knots, the Rocket is a fantastic cross-country machine or around-the-patch sunset flier. The Cessna 195 is known for its round tail and flashy looks.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Tail Pilot Jet 98

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

As we pushed back, the colors popped on the various tails parked down the row of gates, and we sat in line for takeoff with the low sun angle perfectly lighting a yellow Spirit Airbus against an ominous dark sky, save for the rainbow that arched high across the vista. Go-around , flaps 13,” I called.

Runway 56

Runway Approach Knot Jet 56

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

As we pushed back, the colors popped on the various tails parked down the row of gates, and we sat in line for takeoff with the low sun angle perfectly lighting a yellow Spirit Airbus against an ominous dark sky, save for the rainbow that arched high across the vista. Go-around , flaps 13,” I called.

Runway 52

Runway Approach Knot Jet 52