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.

Aileron 52

Aileron Drag Rudder Descent 52

Northstar VFR

JANUARY 8, 2024

Lift We’ll start with my personal favorite — lift. As the airplane is rolling down the runway, air is passing over and under the wings. Weight Now let’s talk about the flip side of lift — weight. Drag I don’t mean to be a drag at this point, but let’s talk about what holds the plane back. Drag opposes lift.

Drag 52

Drag Lift Thrust Airplanes 52

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

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. As the icing rapidly accumulated, we could tell the drag was multiplying at an alarming rate.

Drag 98

Drag Runway Approach Ceiling 98

Vintage Aviation News

JULY 23, 2024

83393 towards runway 36 at the Naval Proving Grounds in Dahlgren, Virginia. Gilbert arrived at runway 36 and after receiving permission for take-off, he pushed the throttle smoothly forward and the Helldiver began roaring down the runway. Gilbert, with RM3 (Radioman third class) Edward J. NARA photo) As Lt.

Cockpit 130

Cockpit Runway Drag Pilot 130

AV Web

OCTOBER 3, 2024

A little misty substance appeared at the corners of my eyes, and then I dragged the Mooney clear of the unloading zone for one last effort at fixing my radio problem. What came next, I didn’t expect. The whole group of volunteers stopped what they were doing. They clapped and cheered.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Drag Cargo Payload 98

Northstar VFR

JULY 21, 2024

As air flows over it, a force like lift results, and the tail is pulled in the opposite direction of the deflection. But instead of an upward force of lift on a wing, it’s a horizontal force pushing the tail of the plane causing the nose of the plane to move left and right. Now we’ve rotated and in the air. Why is this?

Rudder 52

Rudder Airplanes Pilot Stability 52

Fear of Landing

MAY 31, 2024

Fearful of losing my three euro investment, I picked up the bag and lift it over my head and into the gated area. There was no sign of a runway. Could she possibly find out for me which runway was in use today (now) at Berlin Brandenburg? A jet gathered speed and lifted off. No, actually, both runways are in use.

Runway 52

Runway Drag Lift Tarmac 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. With thicker accumulations and irregular shapes, drag can get up to two times worse!

Pitot Tube 52

Pitot Tube Drag Lift Airfoil 52

Latatuide 33 Aviation

DECEMBER 19, 2023

The reduction in weight and the smaller size of the aircraft minimizes resistance that weighs down the aircraft and increases lift during flights. It produces an aircraft with lighter weight, allowing for less drag. It causes more drag, decreases the speed, and leads to longer flights.

Drag 52

Drag Weather Knot Jet 52

Fear of Landing

MARCH 22, 2024

One of the most revolutionary was the “area rule,” a concept that helped aircraft designers avoid the disruption in airflow and resulting drag caused by the attachment of the wings to the fuselage. Grooved runways have since helped aircraft make safe landings on pavement made slick from rain, snow, or ice.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Airfoil Drag Airlines 52

Vintage Aviation News

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024

However, there was still a gap in urban travel since airplanes needed long runways, and helicopters, while versatile, were slow and limited in range. They saw potential in the Rotodyne to transport troops and supplies quickly without needing runways in war zones. This design reduced drag and increased efficiency during forward flight.

Runway 59

Runway Drag Knot Thrust 59

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

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

Unlike paved runways, every soft landing surface is different. However, the increased drag might make it impossible to take off again. 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.

NOTAMs 52

NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 18, 2024

We would launch from the paved runway, retract the gear, and head out to one of the nearby waterways to practice takeoffs and landings. He had to drag out his tent and spend the night waiting for the next high tide to release him from his predicament.

Airplanes 80

Airplanes Torque Tail Pilot 80

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

Most western pilots have patiently worked such lift for an hour or more while waiting for conditions to improve near their destination airport. Sometimes the wind socks at both ends of the runway point in opposite directions! Dust devils and other extreme lifting motions can also cause havoc near the surface.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Lift Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 18, 2024

We would launch from the paved runway, retract the gear, and head out to one of the nearby waterways to practice takeoffs and landings. He had to drag out his tent and spend the night waiting for the next high tide to release him from his predicament.

Airplanes 78

Airplanes Torque Tail Pilot 78

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

Aerotime

MAY 21, 2024

The high-speed vertical lift X-plane concept developed by Aurora Flight Sciences has reached the preliminary design phase. This progress comes after completing a conceptual design review for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program, Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT).

Lift 144

Lift Drag Knot Runway 144

Fear of Landing

JUNE 14, 2024

Photograph by Robert Frola (GFDL) via Wikimedia Commons Murwillumbah Airfield has a 19/01 grass strip which the report gives as 1,045 metres (3,428 feet), however, it is commonly listed as 800 metres as it has a displaced threshold of 245 metres on runway 19, because of industrial buildings and trees at the northern end.

Threshold 91

Threshold Runway Approach Pilot 91

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 9, 2024

We learn all about aerodynamics, thrust, drag, lift, and gravity, study flight manuals, emergency procedures, and FARs, take oral exams and check rides, and constantly review everything we can find about flying. It was one of the few in the area that had a rotating beacon and runway lights.

Runway 91

Runway Pilot Approach Weather 91

World Airline News

APRIL 24, 2025

United Airlines/JetZero JetZero’s innovative design reduces drag and produces lift across the entire wingspan, which could lead to as much as 50% reduction in fuel burn per passenger mile compared to a similar sized aircraft.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Drag Jet Lift 52

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 15, 2024

All pre-takeoff checklist items should be completed before taxiing onto the runway for departure. All engine instruments should be checked for proper and usual indications, and all controls should be checked for free movement as you enter the departure runway. Set flaps as appropriate – ensure that flaps come down equally.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Indicated Airspeed Lift Runway 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2024

When the wind is blowing across the runway instead of along it, things get more challenging. However, the wind rarely aligns perfectly with the runway. Touching down with the aircraft’s longitudinal axis aligned with the runway. If the pilot makes no corrections, the aircraft gets blown off the runway centerline.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Longitudinal Axis Aileron Rudder 52

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

Air Facts

DECEMBER 11, 2024

This catalogued data will guide us to anticipate properly, as you sit behind the controls of your Piper Arrow and fire up the engine to a roar, anticipating the demand to be lifted in space climbing up to the desired altitude. The next vector to me from ATC for the base leg to the RNAV Runway 22 to Caldwell Airport.

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Lift Approach True Airspeed 52

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 7, 2025

Icing: Ice buildup can reduce lift and increase drag. They give you updates on temporary hazards, runway closures, or restricted airspace that could affect your plan. Before takeoff, always review the latest weather forecasts for your departure, route, and destination. Which aspects of the weather should you watch out for?

Weather 52

Weather NOTAMs Pilot Center of Gravity 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. 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

Vintage Aviation News

JUNE 24, 2024

The runway at Patrick was close but with the aircraft quickly losing speed and altitude, the pilot, who was the only occupant of the craft, feared he might not clear Highway A1A, which stood between him and Patrick. During the demonstration, however, 91188 suffered an engine failure while off the coast of Cocoa Beach.

Drag 111

Drag Lift Tail Pilot 111

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. Full flaps provide maximum lift and stability, allowing the aircraft to fly slower without stalling.

Descent 52

Descent Final Approach Approach Runway 52