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 76

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 76

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

I once flew downwind, base, and final at a constant AOA. 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. And some made it as high as 100 feet but were still consistent with the spirit of FASF.

General Aviation 73

General Aviation Pilot Approach Runway 73

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. This meant that there would be no getting into Sodus unless the ceiling lifted. The ceiling lifted to 900 feet and even began to break up over Rochester.

Approach 52

Approach Ceiling Weather Runway 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

There were some patches of moderate lift and sink as would be expected on a normal summer soaring day. Unsurprisingly, the actual glide ratio of his 49:1 glider was much better than the required 14:1 and he approached the airport relatively high. The ADSB trace shows Shmulik’s ground speed of 92 kt as he began his final turn.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52