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

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 26, 2024

Flying against Captain Tom Curtis, the two “Sixes” engaged in a “vertical rolling scissors” maneuver at 38,000 feet (11,600 meters), trying to get behind the other’s tail. Foust did everything in his training to try and recover from the spin, including deploying his plane’s drag chute.

Pitot Tube 59

Pitot Tube Ground Effect Drag Pilot 59

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

Though renowned for its maneuverability, the Triplane struggled to pull away from the Camel, fighting against the fundamental drag of its triple tiered wings. He's at full takeoff power and he's got the tail up! This is the magic of Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, the Hudson Valley's temporal anomaly. Where is he going?! What is happening?!

Airplanes 58

Airplanes Runway Pilot Aileron 58

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

True, a slightly higher aspect ratio wing was desired, which in turn required a larger vertical tail and thus a little extra mass, but the size, approximately 20% larger than a Widgeon, was set. Otherwise the traditional high-wing, twin-engine flying boat layout suggested itself on practical grounds.

Airplanes 59

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 59