Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

As the helicopter continued towards the airport, the airspeed began to decrease. The indicated airspeed had fallen below 65 knots and was still decreasing. As the airspeed decayed, the right yaw increased. The helicopter was at treetop height with an indicated airspeed of zero knots when the right yaw ceased.

Torque 87

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 87

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

What specific indicated airspeed will be flown/adhered to during the circling maneuver? What speed on final approach? Remember higher airspeeds = larger turn radius. Speed should be target (Vref) + 10 kts, in full landing configuration until the final approach segment.

Approach 97

Approach AGL Descent Runway 97

Air Facts

OCTOBER 7, 2024

It was a beefed up, militarized version of the Beechcraft Bonanza with a narrowed fuselage and conventional tail, seating two pilots in tandem cockpits with controls and indicators configured similarly to tactical aircraft of the period. The Navy’s primary trainer was the T-34B.

Cockpit 98

Cockpit Rudder Tail Indicated Airspeed 98

Air Facts

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Flying to Oklahoma from New Jersey in my G36 Bonanza, I once encountered a mountain wave where the indicated airspeed changed from 92 knots to 164 knots without a single bump. As we got crossed the final approach fix, the rain shaft grew. I looked at the airspeed and it was jumping +/-5-10 knots.

Turbulence 52

Turbulence Knot Wind Shear Lift 52

Photographic Logbook

JULY 11, 2024

Caught in series of up and down drafts, the autopilot pitched the Warrior aggressively to maintain altitude and the indicated airspeed trended too high in each updraft. At one point, we entered a region of sufficient turbulence that I disengaged the autopilot to hand-fly. I logged about 0.7 hours of IMC time on the flight.

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Approach Weather Runway 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

Without knowing the horizontal wind direction and speed at this point it is impossible to say what his indicated airspeed was. The ADSB trace shows Shmulik’s ground speed of 92 kt as he began his final turn. 1000 ft AGL, planning to fly a very steep final approach.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

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. That produced a strange traffic pattern with roller coasters at the corners.)

General Aviation 98

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes 98