AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

As the former owner of a vintage V-tail Bonanza, I always pay attention when one of them crashes. Both invoke traditional assumptions about V-tails, and even vintage Bonanza lovers like me acknowledge there is at least a grain or two of truth in each. Last week’s tragedy in Tennessee drew particularly wide interest for two reasons.

Tail 105

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed 105

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

As the former owner of a vintage V-tail Bonanza, I always pay attention when one of them crashes. Both invoke traditional assumptions about V-tails, and even vintage Bonanza lovers like me acknowledge there is at least a grain or two of truth in each. Last week’s tragedy in Tennessee drew particularly wide interest for two reasons.

Tail 98

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed 98

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

It was inverted, without wings or tail. It flew into extreme precipitation, then started a steep, descending right turn to the ground. Local emergency services found the fuselage about an hour later in hilly wooded terrain. All three people had died. The missing parts were eventually located in the surrounding woods.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Weather Pilot Air Traffic Control 52

Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

The crew requested a straight-in approach to Runway 36, even though the tail wind was estimated between 10–15 kts, and at times exceeded the manufacturer’s limitation. The GOM also called for the airspeed to be “on target” at such altitudes respectively. On May 5, 2021, a Gulfstream G150 overran the runway at 3J1 (Ridgeland SC).

Approach 105

Approach Descent Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) Runway 105

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

More vintage cred: a V-tailed Beechcraft Bonanza! Within a a few minutes of going IFR, we emerged into clear air on the other side of the lake effect snow band and made for Sodus where I flew a practice RNAV-28 instrument approach with the autopilot. hours in actual instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

Runway 68

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 68

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 28, 2023

Putting the front to our tails, we flew in IMC (instrument meteorological conditions) for 30 minutes before emerging under a clear blue sky. Despite those ground clearances, we found that the ceiling above our home airport was high enough to accommodate VFR departures with airborne clearances. Better safe than sorry.

Clearance 52

Clearance Knot Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes 52