Learn to Fly

JULY 11, 2024

What can pilots do to prevent this? During your student pilot training you are taught to rely on speed and the 1G stall speed to avoid stalls. This happens regardless of weight, bank angle, temperature, density altitude, or center of gravity. Without an AOA indicator, the AOA is invisible to pilots.

Airfoil 40

Airfoil Center of Gravity Density Altitude Drag 40

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Short field landings are a true test of a pilot’s skill. They are also one of the most feared maneuvers during the private pilot checkride. Whether you’re new to short field landings or a pilot needing a refresher, this essential guide is for you. Reducing lift puts more weight on the wheels. Consult your POH.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 52

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

There’s been a lot of interest in my recent accident analysis “ Invisible Trap Kills Glider Pilot – How To Avoid Microbursts.” Cold downdrafts created by virga displace warmer air near the surface creating updrafts glider pilots can, and should, use to avoid landing in downburst conditions. Absolutely!

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Lift Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

The airplane’s engine, propeller, and wings, which have struggled all summer against the ravages of high temperatures and density altitude, are now in their happy place. If the airplane is tied down outside, it’s important to get all of the ice and snow off the lifting and control surfaces. Preflighting the pilot and passengers?

Ceiling 105

Ceiling Airplanes Weather Density Altitude 105

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

The airplane’s engine, propeller, and wings, which have struggled all summer against the ravages of high temperatures and density altitude, are now in their happy place. If the airplane is tied down outside, it’s important to get all of the ice and snow off the lifting and control surfaces. Preflighting the pilot and passengers?

Ceiling 98

Ceiling Airplanes Weather Density Altitude 98

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

The brothers believed that their lift was coming from smoke, which they could clearly see rising in the air. In letters to an English scientist, Sir Joseph Banks, dated December 1, 1783 and January 16, 1784, he described the balloon, and attributed the lift to “air rarified by heat”. Therefore, its chances were good.

Lift 98

Lift Density Altitude AGL Pilot 98

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

The many analyses and videos on these topics have been done in what can best be described as laboratory conditions, carefully selected optimum conditions of pilot, airplane, and environment. Was this a power loss after takeoff, whether or not the pilot chose to fly an impossible turn? Would a visual AOA indicator have helped?

General Aviation 98

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes 98

Plane and Pilot

JULY 2, 2024

It generally encourages you, as the pilot, to do a good job of preparing for each flight and keep up your stockpile of skills by regular training and practice. The problem is, there’s more than this one limitation involved in the average flight, beyond just the perils that can be met by our piloting ability.

Density Altitude 59

Density Altitude Airplanes Wind Shear Pilot 59

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

About 90% of accidents could have been prevented by the pilot. Most can be avoided by diligent pre-flight preparations; by paying attention to what’s happening around us; by staying disciplined and flying within one’s margins; and by avoiding basic piloting mistakes through regular practice.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

Go-arounds are among the easiest tasks a pilot can perform. Pilots avoid go-arounds because it is seen as an admission of guilt. Pilots perform the maneuver when a landing is unsafe or can result in an incident. Pilots perform the maneuver when a landing is unsafe or can result in an incident. What Is a Go-Around?

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52

Air Facts

APRIL 17, 2024

It serves as a native inholding and a historic watering hole for pilots, oxmen and nowadays tourists. He helped me tie down and then offered me lift to the ranch. If there were stars they were enjoyed by better pilots elsewhere. Yet I am merely a student, a student pilot and at times a dallying monk. Don’t waste time.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Pilot Turbulence Lift 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

When spelled geoduck it represents a grotesque, oversized mollusk, or clam to we pilot simpletons. Much depends on the aircraft’s weight, pilot skill and, surprisingly, “how much abuse you want to experience. Checking the oil is the main attraction to the pilot. The airplane will handle more than you want to.”

Airplanes 79

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 79

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

While most equate this to improved landing distances, the flaps are particularly effective at reducing the takeoff distance by creating more lift. Known for being smooth and nearly bulletproof, its only significant drawback is the lack of power, most noticeable when flying in higher density altitudes and at higher weights.

Density Altitude 98

Density Altitude Thrust Lift Airplanes 98