article thumbnail

Blog: V-Tail Myths And The Truth, As We Know It, So Far

AV Web

Presumably, the pilot was flying on an instrument flight plan, as the flight maintained a cruise altitude of 7,000 feet (and ADS-B groundspeed of 125 to 130 knots) until about 12:53 p.m. Radar contact was lost some 3,500 feet lower, airspeed and rate of descent not known, but presumably at a significant increase.

Tail 99
article thumbnail

Blog: V-Tail Myths And The Truth, As We Know It, So Far

AV Web

Presumably, the pilot was flying on an instrument flight plan, as the flight maintained a cruise altitude of 7,000 feet (and ADS-B groundspeed of 125 to 130 knots) until about 12:53 pm local time, roughly three hours into the flight. The pilot’s adult twin son and daughter were on board and also died in the tragic crash.

Tail 89
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

My Near Death Experience

Air Facts

At the current groundspeed, I believed it shouldn’t be of much concern unless the cell began producing lightning. I requested a descent from 6,000’ down to 4,000’ and was denied due to traffic. I was soon cleared to descend to 4,000’ and entered IMC during the descent while I located the approach chart to brief.

Descent 98
article thumbnail

Adrenaline Therapy

Plane and Pilot

The pilot flew into a gap between ridgelines and performed a series of rapid climbs, turns, and descents. Three reversals were recorded, with climb and descent rates of over 10,000 feet per minute. The last ADS-B flight data point has the airplane at about 2,519 feet msl with a groundspeed of only 48 knots.

Descent 58
article thumbnail

Adrenaline Therapy

Plane and Pilot

The pilot flew into a gap between ridgelines and performed a series of rapid climbs, turns, and descents. Three reversals were recorded, with climb and descent rates of over 10,000 feet per minute. The last ADS-B flight data point has the airplane at about 2,519 feet msl with a groundspeed of only 48 knots.

Descent 52
article thumbnail

Danger lurks in circling approaches

Air Facts

Perhaps just prior to the start of descent could be the optimum time–certainly completed no later than commencement of approach. Recall that we must remain at or above MDA until we are in a normal position to perform a normal rate of descent to landing. Will the vertical speed necessary comply with required descent criteria?

article thumbnail

How to Improve Your Landings

Pilot Institute

Learn to use aircraft references to establish a stable descent rate and pitch, ending up in a smooth roundout and flare. A quick way to estimate the correct descent rate for a 3-degree glidepath is to multiply your groundspeed by five. 60 x 5 = 300 feet per minute is your recommended descent rate. Flying at 60 knots?

Descent 52