Air Facts

DECEMBER 30, 2024

I encountered unexpected headwinds to start, slowing my groundspeed down to 75 knots at times. Landing in Moriarty was somewhat odd and memorable, as I was expecting a busy airport with its long runways and did not encounter a single soul. I saw tumbleweeds blowing by and just had to laugh.

Weather 98

Weather Approach VFR On Top Knot 98

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

You can only begin improving the touchdown if you’ve mastered positioning your aircraft above the runway threshold correctly. A quick way to estimate the correct descent rate for a 3-degree glidepath is to multiply your groundspeed by five. This lets you set the distance between the aircraft and the runway on the downwind leg.

Descent 52

Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 52

Photographic Logbook

NOVEMBER 25, 2023

Aside from a groundspeed boost from a tailwind, the outbound flight was nondescript. Back at the airport, Scott and I waited for departure while another Cherokee flew a left traffic pattern for runway 29 that requires a right pattern. For once, I was more amused than annoyed by an exchange on Guard, the emergency frequency.

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Cockpit Weather Runway 52

iPad Pilot News

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

Get the watch app here. ForeFlight This well-designed app displays airport weather, NOTAMs, communication frequencies, runway information and more. The watch app includes Live Activities in the smart stack to display current flight status.

Pilot 52

Pilot Altimeter Weather NOTAMs 52

Air Facts

JULY 17, 2024

With groundspeed above 185 kts., With a 20+ knot headwind straight down the runway, my touchdown was slow and thankfully smooth. And YES, the flight home was far worse as I was flying low to keep the groundspeed in positive numbers and thinking the truck drivers were going to beat me home.

Groundspeed 98

Groundspeed Turbulence Knot Pilot 98

Professional Pilot

DECEMBER 10, 2024

Fortunately, there is a runway at the end of every ILS. If an airport has a single runway, its always possible it may close. Basically, I diverted to an airport with a long runway to accommodate a long landing run in the event of brake loss too. Ive also deviated for airport closures due to incapacitated aircraft on the runway.

Weather 98

Weather Approach Descent Runway 98

Air Facts

AUGUST 21, 2024

More turns, steep banks, and soon enough I spot her orange kayak in the lake just off the end of runway 9. My Sonex cruises about 130 mph at this power setting, but headed southeast into the wind I am losing an easy 15 mph on my groundspeed. I make the turn off the runway, another radio call, and I taxi to the pumps.

Groundspeed 98

Groundspeed Runway Approach Crosswind 98

Air Facts

AUGUST 5, 2024

Next you look at NOTAM’s once again and notice that Runways 8R and 26L are closed. And a quick check of the ATIS on your trusty Sporty’s handheld VHF radio reveals that Runways 35 is currently in use. Assuming the mighty Warrior can produce a groundspeed of 90 knots, you take that number, divide it by 60, and you’ll end up with 1.5.

Density Altitude 98

Density Altitude Ceiling Runway Weather 98

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 23, 2024

Fifteen hundred feet past the end of the runway, a pilot was trapped in the cockpit of an Extra NG. ATC rolled the emergency vehicles and cleared her to land straight in on Runway 13, wind 080 at 6 knots, with the wingman flying escort. Data shows a constant high-speed descent straight toward the runway.

Knot 88

Knot Runway Pilot Groundspeed 88

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2024

When the wind is blowing across the runway instead of along it, things get more challenging. A headwind lowers groundspeed , making landing easier. However, the wind rarely aligns perfectly with the runway. Touching down with the aircraft’s longitudinal axis aligned with the runway. A runway excursion can quickly follow.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Longitudinal Axis Aileron Rudder 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 23, 2024

Fifteen hundred feet past the end of the runway, a pilot was trapped in the cockpit of an Extra NG. ATC rolled the emergency vehicles and cleared her to land straight in on Runway 13, wind 080 at 6 knots, with the wingman flying escort. Data shows a constant high-speed descent straight toward the runway.

Knot 52

Knot Runway Pilot Groundspeed 52

Air Facts

DECEMBER 11, 2024

So, there you are, flying at 6,000 feet with a nice tailwind, riding the wave of speed looking at the groundspeed hit the marks you have not seen in a while. You look at the multifunction display and notice the groundspeed is slowing down to your true airspeed as if the wind has suddenly traded in for calm. All is good with the world.

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Lift Approach True Airspeed 52

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

At the current groundspeed, I believed it shouldn’t be of much concern unless the cell began producing lightning. I would then level off, slow down, dirty up, run a tight circle to land on the opposing runway. The approach end of runway 24 came into view, followed by the rest of the airport as we entered the left downwind to runway 6.

Descent 98

Descent Approach Weather AGL 98

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

Doubling your groundspeed quadruples the impact force. While of course, a runway is ideal, even rough terrain can be survivable if approached correctly. Then, head into the wind to reduce groundspeed and hang the airplane in the branches in a nose-high attitude. But perhaps the most critical factor is your speed.

Pilot 59

Pilot Descent Approach Thrust 59