Vintage Aviation News

JANUARY 14, 2025

However, since Convair was also developing the XF-92 delta wing prototype for a future Air Force interceptor, the design team at Convair, led by Ernest Stout, proposed a new delta wing aircraft with retractable hydro-skis for takeoffs and landings, a watertight hull, and a single delta tail.

Cockpit 98

Cockpit Flight Deck Drag Stability 98

Aerotime

MARCH 27, 2025

However, the Concorde, along with countless other military aircraft of various sizes and descriptions, could never have made that leap beyond Mach One, the official speed at which an aircraft is traveling faster than the speed of sound, without the bravery and spirit of adventure of one pilot and his unwavering passion for aviation.

Pilot 270

Pilot Airplanes Drag Stability 270

Pilot's Life Blog

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

The tradition of cutting the shirt tail of a student pilot after their first solo flight dates back to the early days of aviation. There are a few references to where this came from historically – let’s explore the heavy plane tail, the clipping, of birds wings, and the Navy.

Pilot 52

Pilot Tail Drag 52

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 12, 2024

Additionally, the S-72 was equipped with a low-drag fuselage, allowing it to achieve a maximum speed of 340 knots in a dive. The aircraft featured a three-place cockpit with side-by-side seating for two test pilots and a flight test engineer. This successful flight symbolized a new era in rotorcraft design and innovation.

Drag 119

Drag Knot Approach Tail 119

Flight Training Central

MAY 6, 2024

Because birds were designed by God and he created them with high wings”- quote by the late John Frank, Cessna Pilots Association. You don’t have to hang around airports, airplanes or pilots very long until someone will crank up the high wing versus low wing debate. “Low wing airplanes were designed by the very devil himself.

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Lift Drag Airplanes Ground Effect 97

Ask the Pilot

MARCH 13, 2025

I don’t which part irks me more: the boring typeface, the blank bottom, or the tail emblem, which is a neutered version of the one it replaces. Then we have the tail. GRADE: D-minus MINTY FRESH JetBlues livery features a grab bag of different tail patterns. Where do we start? Do we have any idea what this means?

Tail 99

Tail Airline Airlines Runway 99

Vintage Aviation News

FEBRUARY 11, 2025

Around this time, the USAAF was also developing its first jet fighters, but knew that all-jet aircraft at this time were short-ranged and burned fuel quicker than propeller-driven aircraft, and so the optimal design was to feature a propeller-driven engine in the front for long range performance and a jet engine in the tail for high speed in combat.

Thrust 52

Thrust Tail Jet Drag 52

Northstar VFR

JULY 21, 2024

It’s a rite of passage for pilots-in-training to hear these words come from their flight instructor repeatedly. The pilot can control the yawing of the plane by inputs on the rudder pedals. Some new student pilots think the rudder and vertical stabilizer are the same thing. The pilot controls the throttle to create thrust.

Rudder 52

Rudder Airplanes Pilot Stability 52

Vintage Aviation News

JULY 23, 2024

Well respected CAF Helldiver pilot, Ed Vesely, was at the controls for the initial test hop, which went smoothly according to those present. Gilbert’s selection as a test pilot was a mark of respect, both for his courage and for his flying skills. Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver BuNo.83393, NARA photo) As Lt. jg) Mark Gilbert.

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Cockpit Runway Drag Pilot 130

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 18, 2024

Most of the time, I would turn the floatplane setting the tails of the floats onto the shore in order to make our departure a simple matter of climbing in, starting the engine, and with a burst of throttle, sliding into the deeper water and going about our day. Knowing this, smart pilots plan for contingencies as much as possible.

Airplanes 86

Airplanes Torque Tail Pilot 86

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 7, 2025

For pilots, memorable experiences are a combination of the where and when along with the what and the whom. Plane & Pilot associate editor Cayla McLeod is the youngster who, you might be surprised, isnt all about the latest stuff. Although todays airline pilots might scoff at the DC-3, true aviators could never.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Tail Pilot Jet 98

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 18, 2024

Most of the time, I would turn the floatplane setting the tails of the floats onto the shore in order to make our departure a simple matter of climbing in, starting the engine, and with a burst of throttle, sliding into the deeper water and going about our day. Knowing this, smart pilots plan for contingencies as much as possible.

Airplanes 84

Airplanes Torque Tail Pilot 84

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 2, 2024

Pilots and flight schools favor this aircraft for its ease of use and dependable performance. First introduced in 2005, this all-glass cockpit revolutionized the flying experience for pilots by providing a comprehensive and intuitive interface. This article explores the Cessna Skyhawk C172’s features, evolution, and lasting appeal.

Knot 98

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight 98

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Have you ever wondered how pilots keep control at high speeds, during stalls, or even when systems fail? The pilot is able to control the aircrafts roll by turning the control yoke or sidestick in the cockpit. The hydraulic system works similarly to a cars power steering and greatly reduces the effort needed by the pilots.

Aileron 90

Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Large aircraft use yaw dampers while small aircraft rely on piloting techniques to counter Dutch roll. Increased lift on the raised wing immediately creates more induced drag. What’s induced drag? The higher drag on the raised wing reduces its speed relative to the lower wing. Dutch rolls are usually not dangerous.

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Stability Center of Gravity Aileron Rudder 52

Pilot's Life Blog

MARCH 15, 2024

One of the first things an aspiring pilot learns in flight school is the various sections of an aircraft. If you’re wondering how to become a commercial pilot in Arizona , this in-depth guide to important aircraft parts will help in your pursuit. Contact our flight instructors today for more information about enrolling.

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Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron Air Traffic Control Lift 52

Fear of Landing

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

For the next leg, from Corfu to Leeds Bradford Airport, the captain, an ATPL with 14,250 hours, of which 2,800 were on type, was the Pilot Flying. A significant amount of mud had accumulated within all landing gear bays, underneath the wings including flap surfaces, and over the fuselage towards the tail.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Rudder Knot Runway 52

Vintage Aviation News

APRIL 26, 2024

[Photo copyright Russell Munson] On April 26th, 1964 a radial-powered biplane with wings and tail in Champion Yellow and Stearman Vermillion-painted fuselage took off from an airfield near Lumberton, NC. “The steel fuselage frame, tail surfaces, and landing gear have been repaired as needed, media blasted, and primed.

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Airplanes Aileron Tail Hangar 105

Plane and Pilot

DECEMBER 2, 2024

One pilot was wearing the watch of his wife’s grandfather, who was in the 29th Infantry Division that landed on Omaha Beach. Al grew up hearing little from his father about the war, except that he had been a pilot. But a friend said he’d never met a better pilot than my dad.” That evening, the pilots prepared to launch.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Pilot Cockpit Tail 98

Air Facts

JULY 1, 2024

The other day, flying in a Debonaire in the right seat, I asked the pilot to perform a 45-degree 360-degree left and right turns. I have done countless such demonstrations, and each pilot is rewarded with a sense of happiness to be one with the aircraft thanks to a patient instructor in a simulator a long time ago. This is so neat!”

Knot 97

Knot Approach Pilot Runway 97

Fear of Landing

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Both pilots were very experienced, each with over 5,000 hours of flight experience. Flying in clouds of cold and warm fronts can lead to very small supercooled water droplets which build up as rime ice on the parts of the aircraft exposed to the wind: probes, antennas, and the leading edges of the wings and tail.

Knot 98

Knot Approach Descent Weather 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. Remember that wings, propeller blades, and tail surfaces are airfoil-shaped. This leads to a serious loss of lift and an increase in drag. If you don’t act quickly, you’ll soon feel its effects.

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Pitot Tube Drag Lift Airfoil 52

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 11, 2024

However, this wasn’t the only unique thing about Cierva Twin; it was outstanding in its class for the following reasons – Coaxial Rotor System – This design eliminated the need for a tail rotor, reducing mechanical complexity and increasing lift efficiency. This allowed for more stability and control, especially in hover.

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Tail Drag Ceiling Cargo 52

Chess In the Air

JULY 24, 2022

Here is the video: The comments indicate that these incidents are relatively common and occur most frequently when the tow pilot is used to pulling very light gliders that only require a low tow speed. A clear and deliberate briefing of the tow pilot before the flight is essential. In Boulder we definitely have enough space available.

Knot 52

Knot Ground Effect Tail Pilot 52

Vintage Aviation News

AUGUST 29, 2024

From daring rescues of downed pilots as enemy forces closed in to handling a crazed water buffalo aboard a C-123K transport, seasoned veterans share their unforgettable and extraordinary experiences. As the new guy pilot, I was assigned the Number Two position in a four-ship formation, our flight leader’s right wingman. Four o’clock!”

Drag 52

Drag Thrust Pilot Rudder 52

Fear of Landing

MARCH 22, 2024

Today, aircraft are equipped with forward-looking sensors that alert pilots to wind shear hazards. Gradually used to replace metals on parts of aircraft tails, wings, engines, cowlings, and parts of the fuselage, composites reduce overall aircraft weight and improve operational efficiency.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Airfoil Drag Airline 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

A soft field landing is a technique pilots use when landing on unpaved surfaces. Why Do Pilots Perform Soft Field Landings? However, the increased drag might make it impossible to take off again. Crowd Source Information The next best resource for information about runway conditions is other pilots.

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NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2024

Landing an airplane is not easy, even for experienced pilots. Why Crosswind Landings Aren’t Easy Ideally, pilots want the wind to hit the aircraft dead on the nose while landing. If the pilot makes no corrections, the aircraft gets blown off the runway centerline. Many pilots de-crab right before touchdown.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Longitudinal Axis Aileron Rudder 52

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

There’s been a lot of interest in my recent accident analysis “ Invisible Trap Kills Glider Pilot – How To Avoid Microbursts.” Cold downdrafts created by virga displace warmer air near the surface creating updrafts glider pilots can, and should, use to avoid landing in downburst conditions. Absolutely!

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Lift Runway 52

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 27, 2024

On December 27, 1951, the third FJ-2 prototype, XFJ-2B Bureau Number 133756, made the type’s first flight at Los Angeles International Airport, with legendary test pilot Bob Hoover at the controls. The three XFJ-2s differed from the F-86E only in the installation of four 20mm autocannons as opposed to the F-86’s six.50

Jet 111

Jet Approach Flight Deck Drag 111

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

The pilots fought to recover, but the wind shear was too strong. They are difficult to detect, making pilot awareness and training vital. Technological advancements aid in detection, but pilot vigilance remains essential. A massive explosion followed, and the tail section skidded backward. What changed?

Wind Shear 66

Wind Shear Weather Descent Approach 66

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 26, 2024

On December 26, 1956, Convair’s chief test pilot Richard Lowe Johnson took in 56-451 for the F-106’s maiden flight. On December 15, 1959, Air Force test pilot Major Joseph W. Foust did everything in his training to try and recover from the spin, including deploying his plane’s drag chute. mph (2,455.79

Pitot Tube 59

Pitot Tube Ground Effect Drag Pilot 59

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 14, 2024

This was why the strakes were added to the X-29’s tail, in order to reduce drag from using the trim on the canard in the nose. One of the biggest challenges for the X-29 was the unusual center of gravity, which was affected by the rear-mounting of the forward-swept wings and made the X-29 inherently unstable.

Horizontal Stabilizer 96

Horizontal Stabilizer Center of Gravity Tail Drag 96

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 22, 2024

The test pilot, John A. The aircraft felt underpowered and, faced issues with transonic drag, and went under further refinements in the design. The aircraft featured a mid-wing monoplane design with a 45-degree swept wing and tail surfaces. Jack” D.T.W. Pat” Patton achieved a top speed of Mach 1.2 air-to-air victories.

Weather 97

Weather Drag Payload Stability 97

Vintage Aviation News

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

While the Martin Model 123 had open cockpits for a pilot, nose gunner/bombardier, and rear gunner, it was envisioned that these could be enclosed later in development. Th prototype of the Maartin B-10, the Martin XB-907, in flight. to Fairbanks, Alaska, and back.

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Cockpit Tail Pilot Drag 69

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

When spelled geoduck it represents a grotesque, oversized mollusk, or clam to we pilot simpletons. 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. Sea state matters, too.

Airplanes 80

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 80

Vintage Aviation News

AUGUST 22, 2024

From daring rescues of downed pilots as enemy forces closed in to handling a crazed water buffalo aboard a C-123K transport, seasoned veterans share their unforgettable and extraordinary experiences. Over the intercom: “Loadmaster to pilot! Load to pilot! Trimming reduced the amount of control force a pilot felt.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Tail Cargo Airplanes 52