Simple Flying

NOVEMBER 3, 2024

The tail dragger, or Cessna 170, was a popular light aircraft during the 1950s. It held two yard-wide doors and a baggage compartment. The Cessna 172 Skyhawk, developed from the Cessna 170B, first flown in 1955, is the most built aircraft.

Tail 110

Tail General Aviation 110

AV Web

MAY 19, 2024

The public sees us as swashbuckling adventurers bent on destruction and mayhem as we sail our carbon-producing chem-tail-spewing airplanes above their heads. Aviation was built on adventure and has only descended into a state of predictability, reliability, and, yes, boredom in the past five or six decades.

Pilot 116

Pilot General Aviation Airplanes Hangar 116

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 19, 2024

That is the story of the Bellanca Aries T-250, an efficient, T-tailed travel machine that rivaled the Beechcraft Bonanza and Piper Comanche in speed, load-carrying capacity, and elegant design. Their first design, the Anderson Greenwood AG-14, was a 90 hp, twin-tailed, two-seat pusher.

Tail 98

Tail Airplanes Crosswind Knot 98

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 24, 2024

If there’s one common complaint about the ubiquitous Cessna 172 Skyhawk , it’s that the otherwise easy-to-own and simple-to-fly stalwart of general aviation is perhaps lacking in the excitement category. As 172s go, this is one of the more unique examples. Also unique is the shockingly low airframe time.

Stability 98

Stability Tail Airplanes General Aviation 98

Aviation News

MARCH 10, 2025

Tail sitter drone can be scaled to larger sizes with hybrid-electric propulsion Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company has successfully validated the advanced control laws to.

Airplanes 66

Airplanes Tail General Aviation 66

Vintage Aviation News

AUGUST 15, 2024

Gerry had taken flying lessons on his own time, but the 20-ton, twin-engine fighter was in a far different class than the general aviation bug-smashers he’d flown. Cables stretched across each end of the runway, suspended several inches off the tarmac by rubber standoffs, could be snagged by a fighter’s extended tail hook.

Cockpit 98

Cockpit Tail Approach Pilot 98

Flight Training Central

MAY 6, 2024

Some of the most successful General Aviation aircraft have been high wing models. This design, even in the wood and fabric world of early aircraft, carried such aviation icons as the Piper Cub and Aeronca Champ. After WWII, Cessna aircraft started to construct all metal high wing airplanes like the 170, 180 and 195.

Lift 97

Lift Drag Airplanes Ground Effect 97

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 2, 2024

Notable design changes included the introduction of a swept tail design in 1960 and a new cowl design in 1961, which improved aerodynamics and performance. However, the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 paved the way for its return, and production resumed in 1996.

Knot 98

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight 98

Ask a Flight Instructor

MARCH 29, 2024

Earlier straight tail (taller landing gear) vs later swept tail (lower landing gear) 172’s. Aside from the preceding categories, is it reasonable to require separate check outs for: C-172’s equipped with O-320 vs O-360 vs O-300 engines. C-172’s with electric vs pre 1964 Johnson Bar Flap Controls.

Tail 52

Tail General Aviation Pilot 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 19, 2024

Mark is the current owner of the 1999 American Champion Citabria in which I had my first general aviation airplane flight from Dowagiac, MI (C91) in the fall of 2000 with my mentor Dave. From bush wheeled tail draggers to nose dragger Cessnas and Pipers, many walks of aviation life came together around Benton's grass runway.

Runway 76

Runway Airplanes Pilot General Aviation 76

Plane and Pilot

JULY 3, 2024

An icon of general aviation, the legendary Beechcraft Bonanza was introduced in 1947 – the very same year this particular example was manufactured. But this classic 1947 Beechcraft Bonanza bucks the trend by providing award-winning aesthetics and fastidiously maintained systems for $99,500 on AircraftForSale.

Transponder 40

Transponder Tail Airplanes General Aviation 40

Universal Weather

MAY 9, 2023

With the opening of Costa Rica’s first-ever general aviation terminal in December 2019, the experience and security for business aviation operators is now significantly enhanced. Once the PPR is approved, you will receive a confirmation ID, which will be your tail number and date of operation. NXXXdatemonth).

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General Aviation NOTAMs Tail Weather 52

Vintage Aviation News

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

In order to shorten development time and save costs, the aircraft featured components of two closely related aircraft of the Beech Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas: the wings, ailerons, and landing gear of aBeech Bonanza general aviation aircraft and the tail assemblyof a Beech T-34 Mentor military trainer.

Thrust 74

Thrust Center of Gravity Descent Cockpit 74

Jetwhine

DECEMBER 25, 2023

When I raised the tail, the prop twisted my wrist to the left. After another spin, the prop forced my fuselage to the right when I lowered the tail to a three-point attitude. Before spinning the wheel, Paul asked me to hold my “fuselage” (arm) in a nose-high, three-point attitude.

Rudder 52

Rudder Airplanes Tail Pilot in Command 52

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

Key Takeaways Airports that fall under Class C designation handle general aviation and airline traffic. Class C airspace is essential for controlling general aviation and airline traffic for medium-sized airports. Before entering Class C airspace, pilots must receive clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC).

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Clearance Transponder Knot Indicated Airspeed 52

Universal Weather

MAY 22, 2023

General aviation (GA) operators planning flights to this event should expect limited overnight aircraft parking availability, limited hotels, and other congestion issues during June 14-19. This year’s show in Basel, Switzerland will be held June 15-18, 2023.

Clearance 52

Clearance Fixed Base Operator Tail General Aviation 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

But a reputation for dishonest dealing spreads quickly in the relatively small world of general aviation. You may lust after a vintage Beech Staggerwing , but a radial-engine tail-wheel airplane with unique quirks will need to be approached with a careful transition. Ask around before handing money to a seller you don’t know.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Knot Annual Inspection Tail 52

Fear of Landing

MARCH 22, 2024

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. Glass cockpits are in use on commercial, military, and general aviation aircraft, and on NASA’s space shuttle fleet.

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Wind Shear Airfoil Drag Airline 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

That’s exactly what the legendary Bob Buck did 55 years ago in his Cessna 182 Skylane as he enjoyed the sights and sounds of low altitude flying and the freedom that only general aviation affords—a relatable sentiment to the Air Facts community. I lucked out to El Paso with a slight tail wind that got me down there in nice style.

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Weather Airplanes Lift Pilot 75

Air Facts

JANUARY 29, 2025

Without any squadron aircraft available yet, the challenge was revised to renting an aircraft at the local general aviation airporta Piper Cub! As the aircraft began to slow and the tail wheel contacted the runway and the aircraft began to drift slightly to the right. The approach and touch down were normal.

Runway 52

Runway Airplanes Pilot Pilot in Command 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

We studied all of our options going into New York via general aviation. Mine was to keep us at 1,300 feet, hugging the right side of the Hudson River, and listen for our tail number. With a lot of enthusiasm and the reassuring help of ForeFlight, we discovered that it wasn’t only doable but looked like a lot of fun.

Clearance 52

Clearance Approach Knot Altimeter 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

We studied all of our options going into New York via general aviation. Mine was to keep us at 1,300 feet, hugging the right side of the Hudson River, and listen for our tail number. With a lot of enthusiasm and the reassuring help of ForeFlight, we discovered that it wasn’t only doable but looked like a lot of fun.

Clearance 52

Clearance Approach Knot Altimeter 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 10, 2023

Among General Aviation pilots, there was great fear that private aircraft would be permanently barred from controlled airspace, particularly around the epicenters of those attacks in New York City and Washington DC. Although 9/11 marked the weaponization of commercial aircraft, the aftereffects are felt most keenly by General Aviation.

Transponder 52

Transponder Approach Clearance General Aviation 52

Universal Weather

MARCH 29, 2024

At some UK airbases – such as RAF Leuchars (EGQL) – PPRs are only issued to General Aviation (GA) during significant golfing events. Tech Stops For tech stops, a general aviation report is submitted to Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) authorities, who will process the information and determine if a clearance is required.

Flight Plan 52

Flight Plan Weather General Aviation Clearance 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

In recent times, composite materials have been introduced for flight controls even in small general aviation aircraft. Fly-by-wire is expensive, so you wont find it on most small general aviation aircraft. Most of the ailerons mass lies behind the hinge, making it tail-heavy. What Materials Are Used in Ailerons?

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Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

Photographic Logbook

JULY 14, 2024

We reached the island shortly after numerous other arrivals, our five airplanes creating a small arrival push at the uncontrolled general aviation airport. At one point, I suggested that the cloud in front of us looked like some kind of sleek, twin tailed fighter jet. "I Maneuvering for the traffic pattern south of Block Island.

Runway 89

Runway Weather Airplanes Approach 89

Universal Weather

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Airport options With the closing of Torrejon (LETO) airport in 2013 to general aviation (GA) traffic, the sole airport in Madrid serving business aviation operators is Adolfo Suarez Madrid–Barajas Airport (LEMD). Here’s what you need to know.

Clearance 52

Clearance Weather General Aviation Flight Plan 52

Universal Weather

JANUARY 10, 2024

Shanghai Area Airport Options Shanghai is served by two highly congested airports – Hongqiao (ZSSS) with a curfew of 1601-2200Z(0001-0600LT) each day and Pudong (ZSPD) 24-hour– with each having different general aviation (GA) access and parking considerations. Curfews, Slots, Parking & PPR Pudong is a 24-hour Airport of Entry.

Clearance 52

Clearance UTC Fixed Base Operator Tail 52

Photographic Logbook

JULY 6, 2024

To provide student pilots an opportunity to experience real world general aviation flying outside of the training environment and introduce them to what they can do once they have earned their pilot certificates. To support our member pilots in trying new things in aviation that might be too intimidating for them to try on their own.

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Pilot Flight Plan Air Traffic Control General Aviation 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

High camber generally promotes more airflow deflection, thanks to something called Bernoullis Principle. This is why the typical airfoil shape has a curved top and a flat bottom, especially in slower-speed general aviation aircraft. The tail rotor pushes air to one side ( action ), and the tail moves the other way ( reaction ).

Lift 52

Lift Thrust Torque Aileron 52

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 26, 2024

The white light is located on the aircrafts tail and sometimes additionally on the wingtips, facing backward (aft). These systems can even be found on newer General Aviation (GA) aircraft, such as the Cessna 172, with a recognition light setting activating the ALLS.

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Airplanes Horizontal Stabilizer Runway Pilot 111

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 23, 2024

A flat spin happens when the center of gravity shifts too far aft (toward the tail), and the aircraft’s rotation becomes more horizontal. Aft Center of Gravity (CG) A significant factor that can lead to a flat spin is having the center of gravity too far aft (toward the tail) of the aircraft.

Center of Gravity 98

Center of Gravity Weight-Shift-Control Aileron Rudder 98

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

With its unique forward-tail design, retractable landing gear, and classic lines, it began the design philosophy for the over 11,000 Mooneys to follow. The fuselage, a combination of aluminum sheet, steel tubing, and wooden tail cone, featured the now iconic Mooney tail with a vertical leading edge and slanted trailing edge.

Tail 98

Tail Aileron Pilot Airplanes 98

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 2, 2024

In tracing the origin of the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, one must go back to the development of one of the company’s most successful civilian designs, the Model 35 Bonanza, which first flew on December 22, 1945, being piloted by Beech Aircraft’s chief test pilot, Vern Louis Carstens, and by 1947, the type hit the civil market for general aviation.

Horizontal Stabilizer 98

Horizontal Stabilizer Jet Pilot Stability 98

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 2, 2024

In tracing the origin of the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, one must go back to the development of one of the company’s most successful civilian designs, the Model 35 Bonanza, which first flew on December 22, 1945, being piloted by Beech Aircraft’s chief test pilot, Vern Louis Carstens, and by 1947, the type hit the civil market for general aviation.

Horizontal Stabilizer 97

Horizontal Stabilizer Jet Pilot Stability 97

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Missing its tail, pointing almost straight down, a Van’s RV-7A single-engine, two-seat homebuilt plummeted out of the blue and into the rocky ground. This wasn’t the first Van’s homebuilt to experience an in-flight tail separation. It was a quiet afternoon at the Triangle Airpark (AZ50) in White Hills, Arizona.

True Airspeed 95

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 95

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Missing its tail, pointing almost straight down, a Van’s RV-7A single-engine, two-seat homebuilt plummeted out of the blue and into the rocky ground. This wasn’t the first Van’s homebuilt to experience an in-flight tail separation. It was a quiet afternoon at the Triangle Airpark (AZ50) in White Hills, Arizona.

True Airspeed 94

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 94