article thumbnail

Wingtip Vortices and Wake Turbulence

Pilot Institute

By far the strongest component of wake turbulence is the swirling air generated at the tips of the aircrafts wings. Key Takeaways Wingtip vortices, not engine exhaust, create the strongest wake turbulence. Wake turbulence can cause severe roll and structural damage to smaller aircraft. How Are Wingtip Vortices Formed?

article thumbnail

How to Master Slow Flight (Step-By-Step)

Pilot Institute

Higher altitudes are also less prone to turbulence and have fewer birds. Turbulent air will require a larger airspeed margin. Wind gusts and turbulence can also throw you off your heading. You’ll have to accelerate to V x while staying within ground effect. Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds are common scenarios.

Lift 52
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

Invisible Trap Kills Glider Pilot – How To Avoid Microbursts

Chess In the Air

If we encounter the microburst a little earlier in its development, i.e. just when the air is beginning to drop past our flying altitude, we may also experience more turbulence and wind shear when entering and exiting the burst. Normally, this is more than enough time to traverse through the confined area of most microbursts.

Pilot 52
article thumbnail

What NTSB Reports Say About Impossible Turns and Angle of Attack

Air Facts

An incomplete summary description of FASF is whether the airplane made it out of ground effect. That phenomenon is best named Failure to Achieve Sustained Flight (FASF). This is more theoretical than practical for visual AOA, but can affect some proposals such as a general aviation stick shaker.