Flight Training Central

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

What effect does high density altitude have on aircraft performance? What is the headwind component for a landing on Runway 18 if the tower reports the wind as 215° at 30 knots? What true airspeed should a pilot expect at 9,000 feet on a standard day with 65 percent maximum continuous power? 1,300-foot increase.

Density Altitude 105

Density Altitude Knot Ground Effect True Airspeed 105

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Short field landings are a true test of a pilot’s skill. Not only must you fly unnervingly slow, but you also have to pick a spot on the runway and hit it. It’s a runway that is too short for a normal takeoff or landing but still usable with certain precautions. Feeling overwhelmed by this challenging maneuver?

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Descent 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

I knew we were right-side up, but…two seconds later, the runway appeared where it should have been, and my pulse slowed to triple digits. Flying to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture took us over high terrain, choosing our fuel stops with density altitude in mind. With this airplane, DA presented a caution, but never really a threat.

Knot 67

Knot Weather Density Altitude True Airspeed 67

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

I knew we were right-side up, but…two seconds later, the runway appeared where it should have been, and my pulse slowed to triple digits. Flying to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture took us over high terrain, choosing our fuel stops with density altitude in mind. With this airplane, DA presented a caution, but never really a threat.

Knot 58

Knot Weather Density Altitude True Airspeed 58

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

I was listening intently to the ASOS for wind or gusts, letting it repeat 5 or 6 times with the exact same report: 9 kts straight down the runway; no gusts. That was the runway we would use to land. It’s worth noting that Shmulik had a close call in the past: a jet pulled onto the runway in front of him with no radio call.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52