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 Drag Rudder 52

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

It shows the helicopter flying normally, aligned to the runway, and then begin a gentle climb. The pilot told the airport tower controller that he may need the runway. The controller asked the pilot to report when two miles out and to expect runway 28. It rotated several times before crashing into the grass north of runway 28.

Torque 98

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 98

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

I called Lawson Tower and was cleared for taxi and mid-runway takeoff on Runway 15. 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 then did my run-up.

Descent 88

Descent Lift Runway Cockpit 88

Air Facts

JANUARY 6, 2025

We had just been cleared for the ILS approach to runway 30R when a mayday was declared on frequency. Or do we continue towards a runway only six miles ahead, hidden by water droplets that were now becoming quite hazardous. Light icing in the descent, we had briefed the increased Vref speeds as we had many times before.

Drag 98

Drag Runway Approach Ceiling 98

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

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

The little plane leapt into the air almost immediately as the wind seemingly swirled from every direction along the 5,000-foot runway. I announced our departure intentions, receiving well wishes from the airport attendant who had come out to admire the plane, and Wilkins once again pointed us down the runway and into the blue sky.

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 98

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

But, as you near the runway, the airplane starts to float. 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. If not recognized in time, ground effect can result in runway overruns.

Ground Effect 52

Ground Effect Drag Lift Runway 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

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. This allows them to safely operate into and out of these tight runways. You’re not alone.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

If utilizing Runway 17 with left traffic, the crosswind turn will be heading 080, downwind 350, base 260, etc. Don’t accept the excuses of “I can’t fly if I can’t see the runway,” or “I can’t feel the airplane.” Usually that limitation is lifted as the learner gains more experience as a pilot. It’s an ATD.

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. Soon, we entered the runway and off we go. We turned into the active runway. After a U-turn, we were greeted by the beach of Chennai as we continue our descent into our glide path towards the runway. You can see how wide the terminal is.

Runway 103

Runway Weather Airlines Airline 103

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

Unlike paved runways, every soft landing surface is different. Obstructions: Ensure the runway is clear of obstacles, from stones to animals. You can walk down the length of the runway. If the runway is too wet, it might be temporarily closed. They’re happy to tell you the status of the airport and runways.

NOTAMs 52

NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 52

Photographic Logbook

JULY 11, 2024

We made an IFR departure that morning on runway 16 and climbed above the ceiling in short order. 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.

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Approach Weather Runway 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

MAY 20, 2024

Currently the airport has 2 terminals with a 3rd starting operation in the near future, it has an impressive 5 runways (runway 17L/35R, 17R/35L, 16L/34R, 16R/34L and 15/33). At this point, we started our descent into Singapore, flying near Malaysia. At this point, we started rolling down the runway.

Runway 59

Runway Descent Airlines Airline 59

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Our taxi to the runway took around 10 minutes. 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. On final approach to SZB's runway 15. On final approach to SZB's runway 15.

Runway 52

Runway Descent Jet Airlines 52

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

ABEAM

AUGUST 26, 2023

So that’s what we did … They conveniently gave us runway 06, and off we were, carefully noting our fuel situation as a general repetition of things to come. Near Reykjavik and in the descent, the area cleared again and we got back our views on the ground: Iceland was still gorgeous ! Westbound !! Towards Oshkosh !!!

Weather 52

Weather Clearance Knot Airplanes 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

JANUARY 14, 2024

To get there, you need to follow the signboard leading you to a lift and from the lower level, you can walk through the underpass to get to the other building. Window shot photos After pushed back, we took about 15 minutes to reach the runway. The view is excellent but it was quite bumpy during our descent.

Airlines 52

Airlines Airline Weather Turbulence 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

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

Lift is the force that aircraft use to counter gravity. Newton’s Third Law is one of the key laws of physics that explains lift. Lets see what Newtons Third Law is, and why we need it to understand lift. This principle is fundamental in generating lift, thrust, and maneuverability, allowing aircraft to fly.

Lift 52

Lift Torque Thrust Aileron 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 30, 2024

As the aircraft loses lift, pulling back tightens the turn, causing a deadly spiral toward the ground. They are: Runway Width Sloping Runway Sloping Terrain Black Hole Approach Autokinetic Illusion False Horizon Vection Illusion Let’s look at each one in detail. Fix it: Trust your instruments, not your body.

Runway 52

Runway Instrument Meteorological Conditions Approach Airplanes 52

One Mile at a Time

DECEMBER 28, 2024

Part of that even lifts up, to expose a shallow, enclosed storage area, big enough for a phone or passport. Japan Airlines A350 pushing back Haneda Airport We taxied out to runway 34R, which took around 10 minutes. Theres a large counter area to the side of the seat, where you can place things during the flight.

Airlines 120

Airlines Airline Tail Approach 120

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

Push the throttle forward for takeoff, and you might as well be in an F-15 Eagle roaring down the runway. If the airplane is tied down outside, it’s important to get all of the ice and snow off the lifting and control surfaces. Wheel pants, especially tight-fitting ones, and snow-covered ramps and runways are a bad combination.

Ceiling 105

Ceiling Airplanes Weather Density Altitude 105

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

Push the throttle forward for takeoff, and you might as well be in an F-15 Eagle roaring down the runway. If the airplane is tied down outside, it’s important to get all of the ice and snow off the lifting and control surfaces. Wheel pants, especially tight-fitting ones, and snow-covered ramps and runways are a bad combination.

Ceiling 96

Ceiling Airplanes Weather Density Altitude 96

Fear of Landing

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

The Chipmunk continued to runway 24L where the pilot was given clearance to take off. Runway 06R/24L is 1,150 metres long (3,770 feet). The aircraft started its take-off roll and lifted off about halfway down the runway. However, as it took off, another witness saw something “flapping” on the aircraft.

Runway 81

Runway Cockpit Pilot Descent 81

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

To get the extra lift required for the turns, I had to dive to get extra airspeed so that the plane could turn at that same AOA. On downwind, ATC had me at 3,000 feet going over the departure end of the crossing runway. I could see that the spot on the ground in the windshield that was not moving was short of the runway.

General Aviation 98

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes 98

Air Facts

AUGUST 21, 2024

A steep bank and strong pull is required for each turn, and I watch the airspeed and lift reserve indicator (LRI) to make sure I do not do anything stupid. More turns, steep banks, and soon enough I spot her orange kayak in the lake just off the end of runway 9. What was easy at 80 mph is a challenge at 135 mph.

Groundspeed 98

Groundspeed Runway Approach Crosswind 98

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

These include a runway collision, porpoising, bouncing, or possible overrun. ATC can also ask for a go-around if the landing runway is unsafe or for spacing reasons. An approach is stabilized when: The aircraft is on the correct flight path, i.e., on runway centerline and glideslope. Airspeed is not less than 1.3Vso +10/-0.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52

Fear of Landing

OCTOBER 18, 2024

A pilot who goes by Coyote Stan commented : “Everyone should get an opportunity to land and take off from this runway. ” The runway (04/22) is a tabletop runway with no overrun protection. Runway 22, the standard runway in use, heads southwest, with the California coastline. But I had it.

Runway 52

Runway Altimeter Pilot Lift 52

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 Institute

APRIL 19, 2024

As your aircraft smoothly climbs away from the runway, nothing seems amiss. Your first instinct is to turn around and land on the lovely, long runway from which you just departed. It involves a steep bank at low airspeed and a turn of more than 180 degrees to reach the runway. However, the direction in which the lift acts does.

AGL 52

AGL Runway Descent Lift 52

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 13, 2023

A Dunkin' in Jasper, GA made for makeshift flight planning space as we waited on fog to lift at Pickens County Airport. The ODP was a key element of my departure strategy, but I also filed to IPECA, the missed approach fix for the instrument approach to the runway we would use that morning. I absolutely hate wasting food.

Approach 52

Approach Ceiling Runway Clearance 52

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

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

The jet slammed into the ground six thousand feet short of the runway, taking the lives of 134 people. 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. This is just as deadly during takeoff.

Wind Shear 66

Wind Shear Weather Descent Approach 66

AV Web

APRIL 15, 2025

Student pilots get a free pass, because theyre adorable skittering off runways in Loss of Directional Control (LODC) events that vex the best among us. With lateral options dwindling, the Bell 47D went into a vertical lift. After one full revolution, the helicopter lifted rapidly from the ground and climbed immediately.

Pilot 52

Pilot Airplanes Runway Descent 52

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 5, 2025

Learning how to land a Piper Seminole means becoming comfortable with these avionics, which help guide the aircraft through the landing procedure, ensuring optimal approach speeds and alignment with the runway. The pre-landing check is the first step in ensuring the aircraft is ready for a stable descent.

Descent 52

Descent Final Approach Approach Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

Ducking the head, we slid the canopy closed into a central overhead latch then applied two extra latches at each forward corner With the backup fuel pump on, we took to the runway. Baron told us to lift the nose at 50 knots, which proved correct for a takeoff about 900 feet down the runway.

Knot 94

Knot Airplanes Rudder Gross Weight 94

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

JULY 22, 2024

The airport mayhave 2 runways (runway 14/32 and runway 09/27) but only one runway is in operation (09/27) and if this runway is in maintenance, the other runway will be in used. Once we reached runway 27, we departed just minutes after our schedule departure time. Don't you hate it when that happens?

Cabin Crew 59

Cabin Crew Runway Weather Ceiling 59