Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 12, 2025

Understanding the Basics of Flight Principles of Flight: Lift, Weight, Thrust, and Drag Flying a plane for the first time requires a basic understanding of the forces that make flight possible. Lift is generated by the wings, counteracting the force of weight, which pulls the plane down. Ready to experience the skies with us?

Aileron 52

Aileron Rudder Drag Descent 52

Fear of Landing

MAY 3, 2024

The prototype lifted off, hovered and flew at a speed of 40 knots before landing. The forward five-bladed propellers tilt in an angle range of 0° (straight ahead) to 100° (slightly past vertically upwards), allowing the aircraft to shift between vertical lift and forward propulsion. G-EVTL lifted off with all EPUs operating.

Descent 94

Descent Knot Thrust Lift 94

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

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. I began a rapid descent from 3,000’ down to the 2,000’ for the IAF. We’re now following a Saratoga. The IAF was looming closer.

Descent 98

Descent Approach Weather AGL 98

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 12, 2025

Understanding the Basics of Flight Aerodynamics 101 Flying a small plane revolves around understanding four key forces: lift, thrust, drag, and weight. Lift is generated by the wings as air flows over them, counteracting weight, which pulls the plane downward due to gravity.

Weather 52

Weather Pilot Rudder Drag 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

I was still in a pretty rapid descent. While still in a descent, soon to crash into the trees, I turned to look. With one hand I lifted the back high enough to pull the stick back far enough to stop my dive. I lifted the seat back into place and saw there was a latch to hold it. I was in a controlled descent.

Descent 88

Descent Lift Runway Cockpit 88

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

At approximately 30-40 feet agl, the spinning stopped and the helicopter appeared to stabilize for a brief moment before continuing a nose-low, forward descent into the grass north of Runway 28. Feather the blades to generate lift from the upward flow of air during the descent (instead of pushing the air downwards in powered flight).

Torque 89

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 89

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 27, 2025

It may be necessary to add a slight amount of power to keep the airspeed from decreasing excessively and to avoid losing lift too rapidly. This not only stops the descent, but actually starts the airplane climbing. This procedure should only be used when there is adequate airspeed.

Airplanes 89

Airplanes Runway Accelerated Stall Lift 89

Vintage Aviation News

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

It was also the first VTOL aircraft to use a jet thrust diverter system for vertical lift. The aircraft began its descent from an altitude of 1,000 feet to land on a predetermined spot at NASA Ames Research Center, December 7, 1962. The inset in the lower right-hand corner of the photo is a close-up of the Bell X-14A during descent.

Thrust 94

Thrust Center of Gravity Descent Cockpit 94

Pilot's Life Blog

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

Aerodynamic Differences Fixed-Wing Aircraft (Airplanes) Airplanes , or fixed-wing aircraft, generate lift through their stationary wings as they move forward. This pressure difference produces lift, allowing the aircraft to ascend. Each rotor blade acts as an airfoil, and as it rotates, it moves air over its surface, generating lift.

Torque 52

Torque Lift Airplanes Stability 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Flight idle and nose down, which normally produced a 2,000-3,000-feet descent rate, resulted in a 2,000-feet-per-minute climb. We had been lifted above our assigned altitude.” We continued our descent into Great Falls, leaving “the wave” behind and above. We had just been caught by Mother Nature’s roller coaster.

Turbulence 95

Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 95

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 30, 2024

As the aircraft loses lift, pulling back tightens the turn, causing a deadly spiral toward the ground. Narrow runway: Feels higher than you are, leading to a steep descent and faster landing. Fix it: Trust your instruments, not your body. Fix it: Watch your instruments to stop the spiral.

Runway 52

Runway Instrument Meteorological Conditions Approach Airplanes 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

In most flight schools, the practical flight training portion will follow a set progression: Basic aircraft control : Learning to fly straight and level, make turns, and perform climbs and descents. Airport operations : Mastering takeoffs, landings, and understanding traffic patterns. Navigation : Planning and going on cross-country flights.

Pilot 52

Pilot Weather Checkride Flight Computer 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

Your wings don’t create as much drag as they would at higher altitudes, which gives you extra lift. Key Takeaways Ground effect increases an aircraft’s lift and decreases drag. Lift increases due to the high-pressure area created by the compressed air beneath the wings.

Ground Effect 52

Ground Effect Drag Lift Runway 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Lift : The aerodynamic force generated due to airflow over the wings. The aircraft’s deceleration reduces the airflow over the wings, which reduces lift. When the lift force is less than the force of gravity, the aircraft descends. So, how do we increase lift to maintain altitude? The gear adds lots of drag but zero lift.

Lift 52

Lift Rudder Drag Checkride 52

Air Facts

JANUARY 6, 2025

Light icing in the descent, we had briefed the increased Vref speeds as we had many times before. We broke out around minimums, welcomed by the warm glow of the approach lights and drove the Saab right onto the pavement with no attempt to flare, not knowing if the wings had any margin of lift left before stall.

Drag 98

Drag Runway Approach Ceiling 98

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Key Takeaways Ailerons control the aircrafts roll by adjusting lift on each wing. The aircrafts wing is able to generate lift due to its shape. The more the wings shape is able to change the direction of the flow of air over the surface, the more lift it will produce. Why does this increase the lift? How Do Ailerons Work?

Aileron 90

Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 2, 2024

Icing Icing on the aerofoil disrupts the smooth airflow over the wings that produce lift. This decrease in lift has the potential to cause the aircraft to stall. An increasing rate of descent. High rate of descent – shown on your vertical speed indicator. This may lead to an unusual attitude.

Altimeter 52

Altimeter Descent Turbulence Lift 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 11, 2024

This operation was carried out routinely with the little fighters launching from the airship, flying their mission, and then hooking up on a trapeze that lifted them inside the hull. In a feat of incredible airmanship, he immediately began an emergency descent and landed the Goblin prototype on Muroc Dry Lake in California.

Jet 80

Jet Tail Pilot Descent 80

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

It’s just S-turns with climbs and descents, right? The higher speed creates extra lift, causing the airplane to bank further into the turn. The aileron on the right wing deflects down, increasing the camber and creating more lift. The left wing’s aileron deflects up, decreasing lift.

Rudder 52

Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

High-wing aircraft might need more power or pitch to arrest the descent. The sudden loss of lift can cause the wheels to dig into the ground. High Descent Rate If you have a high sink rate on approach, you’ll have a tough time arresting the descent during the roundout. Similarly, do not reduce flaps.

NOTAMs 52

NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Any substantial changes to speed and descent rate will destabilize the landing. The drag allows for a steeper descent, which is particularly helpful when avoiding obstacles. Power controls the rate of descent, and pitch controls airspeed. Anticipate how the higher descent rate will affect the roundout. Consult your POH.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

The J-4, also known as a Cub Coupe, had been dropped off in Kennett for annual in 2008 by its then-owner and ended up becoming a permanent resident when Hurricane Ike stretched inland all the way to the Missouri Bootheel, lifting it from the ground and depositing it on top of the FBO’s maintenance hangar.

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 98

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

And ice doesn’t just make things slippery, it messes with the airflow over the wings, cuts down on lift, and ramps up drag. This leads to a serious loss of lift and an increase in drag. This roughness adds to friction drag, which can reduce lift and increase drag by as much as 50% on a wing’s leading edge and upper surface.

Pitot Tube 52

Pitot Tube Drag Lift Airfoil 52

Photographic Logbook

JULY 11, 2024

Since we lost our LPV approaches due to obstructions along the final approach course, the downgraded LNAV minimum descent altitude for the approach to runway 28 was 558 feet above the ground. This meant that there would be no getting into Sodus unless the ceiling lifted. I normally do this upon hearing, "Cleared for the approach."

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Approach Weather Runway 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

Put the aircraft in level flight to give them a moment to consider their next course of action so they are not anxiously doing climbs, descents, and unplanned turns. Usually that limitation is lifted as the learner gains more experience as a pilot. It might be no greater than 6 knots with gusts to 10 mph.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Airplanes VOR Runway 105

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

There are also lifts taking you to the lower level leading to the bus gates. After a U-turn, we were greeted by the beach of Chennai as we continue our descent into our glide path towards the runway. Although this airport isn't as glamourous as Bengaluru's terminal 2, it is certainly a pleasant airport to hang out before departure.

Runway 103

Runway Weather Airlines Airline 103

Fear of Landing

OCTOBER 18, 2024

As my speed increased I lifted the nose of the plane slightly prior to takeoff, but when I did that the nose blocked the few centerline stripes that were my only visual cues to keep going straight. If things started to get away from me I’d have to jam on the brakes quickly to avoid running off the side of the runway. But I had it.

Runway 52

Runway Altimeter Pilot Lift 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

OCTOBER 16, 2024

With a light load, our aircraft lifted off quickly. Not long after, we started our descent into Subang Airport. We hit some light turbulence during our descent. We waited for a short while before departing. It was not a bad day for flying. Singapore's sea traffic is usually busy. On final approach to SZB's runway 15.

Runway 52

Runway Descent Jet Airlines 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

MAY 20, 2024

At this point, we started our descent into Singapore, flying near Malaysia. We lifted off in slightly bumpy conditions. The windows were unlocked when we started our descent. The limited selection of hollywood movie. What was strange is that this Chinese Custom video was shown even though we were flying to Singapore.

Runway 59

Runway Descent Airlines Airline 59

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

In seconds, an aircraft can be forced into an uncontrollable descent, leaving you with barely any time to react. With nothing left to lift it, the core has nowhere else to go but down. When you fly into a microburst on approach or departure, youll first encounter a strong headwind, which will give you a brief lift.

Wind Shear 66

Wind Shear Weather Descent Approach 66

ABEAM

AUGUST 26, 2023

Near Reykjavik and in the descent, the area cleared again and we got back our views on the ground: Iceland was still gorgeous ! The FBO gave us a parking spot on the busy airport and a lift to the hotel: what a great first day ! We kept at FL090 so icing was above us.

Weather 52

Weather Clearance Knot Airplanes 52

Professional Pilot

DECEMBER 10, 2024

Aircraft have to be in continuous forward motion to create lift and thus possess potentially destructive kinetic energy while in motion. Airbus has incorporated an auto emergency descent feature in its A350-1000, which will fly the aircraft to an altitude where theres enough breathing oxygen.

Pilot 52

Pilot Cockpit Pilot in Command Cabin Crew 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

There were some patches of moderate lift and sink as would be expected on a normal summer soaring day. 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.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Pilot Job Central

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Anti-Ice, Rain: flight deck window heat, windshield wipers, probe heat, and anti-ice/de-ice systems that either prevent ice from accumulating on lift generating surfaces and engines, or break the ice off after it’s accumulated. Descent planning can be complicated and needs to be done more than 100 miles from the destination.

Pilot 52

Pilot Airplanes Weather Air Traffic Control 52

Fear of Landing

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

The aircraft started its take-off roll and lifted off about halfway down the runway. The investigation is still in progress and will no doubt focus both on the descent and crash of the aircraft and the survivability of the crash if the rivets had held. Runway 06R/24L is 1,150 metres long (3,770 feet).

Runway 74

Runway Cockpit Pilot Descent 74

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 13, 2024

At the highest point of their flight, the Vigilante was flying so high that slowed to 400 mph, and the air was so thin that the engines flamed out and the wings no longer generated lift. It was at this point that Heath and Monroe momentarily experienced weightlessness, and the aircraft rolled onto its back. Heath, left, and Lt.

Payload 98

Payload Tail Descent Lift 98

Pilot Institute

APRIL 19, 2024

When you bank, with all other factors constant, the total lift doesn’t change. However, the direction in which the lift acts does. The lift splits into a horizontal and vertical component. But now you have less vertical lift to counteract the aircraft’s weight, so you descend faster. The reason for this is twofold.

AGL 52

AGL Runway Descent Lift 52