Flight Training Central

MAY 6, 2024

Those struts and wires create a lot of parasite drag, an anathema for aircraft whose design and mission is speed. Then in 1956 Cessna moved the tail-wheel on the 170 to the nose and the resulting high wing 172, with well over 40,000 copies, became the best-selling civilian aircraft in history. The bi-wing design has one serious flaw.

Lift 97

Lift Drag Airplanes Ground Effect 97

Chess In the Air

JULY 24, 2022

However, perhaps the safest response for everyone involved would have been the following: Rather than trying to climb with the tow plane, I should have stayed in ground effect while communicating the request for a greater airspeed. Staying in ground effect protects the glider from a stall because of lower induced drag.

Knot 52

Knot Ground Effect Tail Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

However, the increased drag might make it impossible to take off again. Hold this extra power as you enter ground effect. Low-wing aircraft perform better in ground effect because of the wing’s proximity to the ground. Simultaneously, increase back pressure to keep the nose wheel off the ground.

NOTAMs 52

NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 52