Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 13, 2024

Key Takeaways Bounced landings can result from excessive speed, improper flare, or high descent rates. Improper Flare Technique The flare is a maneuver where you elevate the aircraft’s nose slightly just before landing to decrease the descent rate. You should use the rudder to do this. Was it a small or a big bounce?

Descent 52

Descent Runway Rudder Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

In the Cessna 172S Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), the landing distance decreases by 10% for every 9 knots of headwind. For the Cessna 172, landing distance increases by 10% for every 2 knots of tailwind. Any substantial changes to speed and descent rate will destabilize the landing.

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Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 3, 2024

One benefit of these aerodynamic tweaks is a vibration, or “initial buffet,” that is felt in the seat of the pants and flight controls, about 10-15 knots above stall speed. If the engine does not restart, maintaining the descent and a margin above the critical angle of attack is a better bet than stalling.

Airplanes 78

Airplanes Approach Horizontal Stabilizer Pilot 78

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

The weather briefing we had reviewed a half hour earlier promised a 20-knot headwind that would require two fuel stops on the 130-mile trip from our home airport in Kennett, Missouri (KTKX), to Little Rock Air Force Base (KLRF) in Arkansas. As the sun began its descent, we began the final leg of what would end up being a four-hour trek.

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 98

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Adverse yaw is a side effect of aileron use, countered by rudder input. Increasing The Aircraft Speed Small, light, and low-powered aircraft such as the Cessna 172 have a relatively narrow operational speed range ranging from 40 knots up to about 160 knots. The resulting loss of lift leads to a rapid descent by the aircraft.

Aileron 90

Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

It’s just S-turns with climbs and descents, right? We counteract adverse yaw by applying rudder in the direction of the turn. The amount of rudder required depends on roll rate and airspeed. Airspeed and attitude change constantly, and we must change rudder input along with them. Heading ±10° from entry heading.

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Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 2, 2025

A target moved across my traffic display at 450 knots (518 miles per hour). "I I slowed the Warrior down to better manage the turbulence and this, combined with the headwind, dropped our ground speed as low as 73 knots. Forecasts indicated that the wind at Sodus would be out of the southeast at ten knots gusting to the mid-teens.

Runway 89

Runway Knot Weather Turbulence 89

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

READ MORE: Cirrus Adds Second Vision Jet Simulator In this scenario, the options are a 180-degree turn using only rudder to avoid overbanking—common when you lose the outside horizon reference—to get back to VFR conditions or contacting ATC to ask where the nearest VFR is. It might be no greater than 6 knots with gusts to 10 mph.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Airplanes VOR Runway 105

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Common mistakes include neglecting clearing turns, delaying stall recovery, and misusing the rudder. The stall warning horn sounds at least 5 knots above the actual stall speed. Since you need to fly without triggering the warning, select a target airspeed of about 2 to 5 knots more. Use the rudder to stay coordinated.

Lift 52

Lift Rudder Drag Checkride 52

Northstar VFR

AUGUST 11, 2024

The standards for slow flight on a Private Pilot checkride are: maintain the specified altitude, ±100 feet; specified heading, ±10°; airspeed, +10/-0 knots; and specified angle of bank, ±10°. Right rudder input will be necessary to maintain coordination. If you’re in choppy air, make the target airspeed a little more.

Checkride 52

Checkride Airplanes Pilot AGL 52

Fear of Landing

OCTOBER 18, 2024

The wind favoured runway 22, as usual, but at only 5-7 knots, it wasn’t really a factor. My feet danced on the rudder pedals as I fought to keep the plane going straight down the runway. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. However, just as the altimeter started to climb, the Baron faltered.

Runway 52

Runway Altimeter Pilot Lift 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

This is consistent with Rick’s report, which referenced 9 knots of wind. Under normal circumstances Shmulik would have had sufficient altitude to delay the landing by several minutes: his glider’s minimum descent rate in still air was just 100 fpm. I was doing about 80 knots and all of a sudden I hit this tremendous sink.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

Airspeed variations with weight in light general aviation aircraft are only a handful of knots, so it’s easy to fly the published slow speed when light, the faster speed when heavy, and something in the middle when the aircraft weight is something in the middle. No math required. That variety may require multiple initiatives.

General Aviation 98

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes 98

Pilot Institute

APRIL 19, 2024

You’re at a high pitch attitude and are counteracting the left-turning tendencies with rudder. To arrest this descent, you need to generate more lift. Pitching down for airspeed magnifies the already steep descent rate. When banking, you must increase the angle of attack to keep the descent rate in check.

AGL 52

AGL Runway Descent Lift 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

We routinely taxi at 1200 rpm due to the low spray…[we] can cruise at 10 knots” in displacement mode, something a Goose can’t do. Early on a speed restriction of 130 knots was applied as a flutter issue. This was resolved on the kit version and led to cruising at 50% power and 120 knots, which proved to be the Gweduck’s sweet spot.

Airplanes 77

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 77

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

/hp Engine: Rotax 912iSC3, 4-cylinder, opposed, air and liquid cooled, normally aspirated, gear-reduction drive, fuel-injected, 100 hp Propeller: MT composite, two-blade, constant-speed Maximum Cruise Speed: 117 knots Range, Max Range Power: 950 nm Rate of Climb, Sea Level: 750 fpm Max operating Altitude: 13,000 ft. Takeoff Over 50-ft.

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Knot Rudder Airplanes Gross Weight 94

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 5, 2025

Approach speeds typically range from 80 to 90 knots depending on weight and flap settings, while full flaps are often used to provide the necessary lift during landing. The pre-landing check is the first step in ensuring the aircraft is ready for a stable descent. Additionally, configure the aircraft for a stable descent.

Descent 52

Descent Final Approach Approach Runway 52