Chess In the Air

DECEMBER 6, 2024

Self-launch from high-altitude airports, not just from Boulder but also after a possible landout at another airport. The density altitude can be several thousand feet higher. A lifting aid is required to mount and remove the tail dolly which is a bit of a nuisance.

Density Altitude 98

Density Altitude Cockpit Tail Runway 98

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

The operator confirmed that the tail rotor had been installed the day before the accident. A mechanic had found a worn feathering bearing in the tail rotor hub and blade assembly. The tail rotor’s responses and vibrations are measured in order to adjust the weights of the rotor blades and/or the alignment of the rotor assembly.

Torque 94

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 94

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

Most western pilots have patiently worked such lift for an hour or more while waiting for conditions to improve near their destination airport. They made the decision to loiter long before descending to pattern altitude and sometimes miles away from the airport. The very existence of virga indicates a soarable sky.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Lift Runway 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

The Rifle ASOS recorded a gust of 43 mph from the south: a 100-degree shift in direction, putting it right on his tail. He only needed a glide ratio of 14:1 to reach the airfield to arrive at a typical pattern altitude of 1,000 ft AGL. 65 kts IAS given the high density altitude.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

True, a slightly higher aspect ratio wing was desired, which in turn required a larger vertical tail and thus a little extra mass, but the size, approximately 20% larger than a Widgeon, was set. The airfoil is a Harry Riblett shape, giving modernized flow separation on the leading edge for a soft stall yet with good lift and drag performance.

Airplanes 77

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 77