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 83

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 83

Air Facts

OCTOBER 14, 2024

The eddies mixing with the vertical motion of the heat generating lift of the heated air makes for discomfort. The up motion of the lift vector from the surface temperatures, and the perpendicular wind vectors pushing the heated air along, make for a dynamism in space. As we got crossed the final approach fix, the rain shaft grew.

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. 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

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 98

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes 98