Air Facts

JULY 22, 2024

The Four Forces of Flight (Lift, Thrust, Drag & Gravity) obey Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. irplane controls work per the Lever Principle, and a wing’s airfoil shape increases lift via the Bernouilli Principle and Coanda Effect. five hours at 150 knots vs. five weeks at 5 knots). The oldest is Archimedes’ Law.

Lift 98

Lift Knot Airfoil Airplanes 98

Aerotime

DECEMBER 20, 2024

In gusty conditions, for example, crews tend to add a few knots to their touchdown speed, which allows for fluctuations in airspeed while on final approach. At this point, the use of the aircraft’s flaps becomes critical.

Cabin Crew 274

Cabin Crew Descent Runway Approach 274

Fear of Landing

JUNE 28, 2024

The flight plan referenced the current weather, specifically noting a westerly wind at 15 knots at 5,000 feet above mean sea level, with gusts up to 25 knots at higher altitudes. The pilot lowered the collective lever by 50%, which decreases the pitch angle of the main rotor blades and thus reduces the lift generated by the rotor.

Rudder 110

Rudder Tail Lift Knot 110

Flying Magazine

MAY 1, 2024

Otto Lilienthal did it by shifting his weight, but for the much larger Wright Flyer the solution was to make one wing produce more lift than the other by twisting them in opposite directions. In other words, the lift change that results from deflecting the aileron is not confined to the aileron itself.

Aileron 108

Aileron Airfoil Weight-Shift-Control Airplanes 108

One Mile at a Time

JULY 11, 2024

This caused the crew to reject the takeoff at a speed of over 150 knots, which is very close to the plane’s takeoff speed. They were seconds from lifting off, and then they probably heard a loud bang or thud, looked at their flight instruments, and then made the decision to reject the takeoff.

Runway 122

Runway Knot Pilot Jet 122

Fear of Landing

MAY 3, 2024

The prototype lifted off, hovered and flew at a speed of 40 knots before landing. The forward five-bladed propellers tilt in an angle range of 0° (straight ahead) to 100° (slightly past vertically upwards), allowing the aircraft to shift between vertical lift and forward propulsion. G-EVTL lifted off with all EPUs operating.

Descent 100

Descent Knot Thrust Lift 100

Flying Magazine

APRIL 30, 2024

The Lilium Jet is expected to cruise at 162 knots on city-to-city trips spanning 25-125 sm (22-109 nm). By contrast, Archer, Joby, and several others are building fixed-wing tiltrotor or tilt propeller aircraft in which the rotors and propellers provide both vertical lift and forward cruise.

Jet 118

Jet Knot Lift Pilot 118

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

The helicopter turned left to return to the airport, travelling at about 85 knots. The indicated airspeed had fallen below 65 knots and was still decreasing. The helicopter was at treetop height with an indicated airspeed of zero knots when the right yaw ceased. The pilot reported two miles out.

Torque 95

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 95

Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

Light sports are limited to two seats and 120 knots of cruise, though in other ways their performance is better (climb and range), and they are generally larger, at least in cabin width (most are several inches broader than a 172). The FAA proposed 250 knots, and I know of no designs in the LSA/MOSAIC space that can cruise at such a velocity.

Gross Weight 78

Gross Weight Knot Pilot Lift 78

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

CDT, a Beech Baron lifted off from Runway 35 at Lubbock Executive Airpark in Texas (F82). It’s a bright sunny day, great visibility, some high stratus clouds, a bit windy maybe (050 at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots), and folks are wearing hoodies as the temperature is a brisk 38 degrees Fahrenheit. By 11:40 a.m.

Pilot 91

Pilot Knot Airplanes Lift 91

Plane and Pilot

MARCH 7, 2025

This whole assemblage of shapes, surfaces, and protuberances cruises at a little less than 100 knots. The Airtruk can lift nearly 200 gallons (or 2,000 pounds) of dry chemicals all day long and land on rough outback strips very near the job site. As you might expect, the landing gear is quite sturdy and draggy. Photo: Warner Bros.

Tail 53

Tail Horizontal Stabilizer Gross Weight Pilot 53

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

We had been lifted above our assigned altitude.” Eighty-knot tailwinds aloft and higher-than-normal temperature difference between the surface and aloft. We had just been caught by Mother Nature’s roller coaster. Airspeed was approaching VMO. That’s OK, Horizon 253. It’s been happening all day.” Thanks for the heads up, ATC.

Turbulence 96

Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 96

Air Facts

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Wind velocity of greater than 20 knots with higher gusts, especially flowing over rough terrain, can lead to an unwelcome flight. Even stable airmass of constant 20 knot winds as it traverses over uneven terrain will cause eddies or burbles, or “potholes in the sky” that will “involuntarily” move the aircraft in its various axes.

Turbulence 52

Turbulence Wind Shear Knot Lift 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

Proper AOA management affects lift generation and stall prevention. It is one of the main factors affecting lift, and airplanes need a constant source of lift to fly. As we stated a little while ago, understanding the angle of attack is fundamental to understanding aerodynamics and how lift is generated.

Lift 52

Lift Turbulence Drag Pilot 52

Professional Pilot

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

Electra’s innovative EL9 hybrid-electric propulsion system with blown lift technology enables ultra-short takeoffs and landings in soccer field-size spaces previously limited to helicopters and eVTOLs, but at one-third the cost and with the improved safety and reliability of a fixed-wing aircraft.

Lift 52

Lift Cargo Payload Knot 52

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

A smaller bank angle will result in more lift, while an increased bank angle will reduce the lift. As an aircraft banks, lift is divided into horizontal and vertical components. The horizontal component of lift causes the aircraft to turn. Combining both components of lift, the total lift required increases.

Lift 52

Lift Aileron Drag Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

The higher speed creates extra lift, causing the airplane to bank further into the turn. The aileron on the right wing deflects down, increasing the camber and creating more lift. The left wing’s aileron deflects up, decreasing lift. The lift imbalance causes the roll. Airspeed ±10 knots from entry airspeed.

Rudder 52

Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Lift : The aerodynamic force generated due to airflow over the wings. The aircraft’s deceleration reduces the airflow over the wings, which reduces lift. When the lift force is less than the force of gravity, the aircraft descends. So, how do we increase lift to maintain altitude? Why does this happen?

Lift 52

Lift Rudder Drag Checkride 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Key Takeaways Ailerons control the aircrafts roll by adjusting lift on each wing. The aircrafts wing is able to generate lift due to its shape. The more the wings shape is able to change the direction of the flow of air over the surface, the more lift it will produce. Why does this increase the lift? How Do Ailerons Work?

Aileron 90

Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

Vintage Aviation News

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

It was also the first VTOL aircraft to use a jet thrust diverter system for vertical lift. It was capable of flying up to 172 mph (277 km/h, 149 knots) and reach a service ceiling of 18,000 ft (5,500 m). A Fairchild flight data analyzer camera records the Bell X-14A simulating a landing on the lunar surface.

Thrust 94

Thrust Center of Gravity Descent Cockpit 94

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

It might be no greater than 6 knots with gusts to 10 mph. Usually that limitation is lifted as the learner gains more experience as a pilot. Then the CFI should increase the winds so they are 10 knots (or more) above the demonstrated crosswind component.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Airplanes VOR Runway 105

Pilot's Life Blog

APRIL 9, 2024

Airspeed indicators are extremely important, as aircraft need to hit a minimum speed to maintain lift. If the plane falls below its ‘stalling speed,’ the pilot can lose control, and the plane can start to lose lift. Why Are Airspeed Indicators Important?

Pitot Tube 52

Pitot Tube Indicated Airspeed True Airspeed Calibrated Airspeed 52

Latatuide 33 Aviation

DECEMBER 19, 2023

The average cruising speed of a private jet at a higher altitude is around 500-600 mph — or 434-521 knots — and some can reach speeds of up to 700 mph or, rather, 608 knots. The reduction in weight and the smaller size of the aircraft minimizes resistance that weighs down the aircraft and increases lift during flights.

Drag 52

Drag Weather Knot Jet 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

In the Cessna 172S Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), the landing distance decreases by 10% for every 9 knots of headwind. For the Cessna 172, landing distance increases by 10% for every 2 knots of tailwind. For the Cessna 172S, we fly a short-field approach with full flaps at 61 knots. Make sure not to lock the tires.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Density Altitude 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

The weather briefing we had reviewed a half hour earlier promised a 20-knot headwind that would require two fuel stops on the 130-mile trip from our home airport in Kennett, Missouri (KTKX), to Little Rock Air Force Base (KLRF) in Arkansas. The windsock promised that getting the little yellow bird into the air would be a white-knuckle affair.

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 98

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

Most western pilots have patiently worked such lift for an hour or more while waiting for conditions to improve near their destination airport. Dust devils and other extreme lifting motions can also cause havoc near the surface. That does very little when you’re in 10-20 knot sink.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear AGL Lift Runway 52

Pilot's Life Blog

JULY 10, 2024

Contrary to popular belief, airplane taxiing does not include the moments right before takeoff where the plane’s speed continues to accelerate until it lifts off the ground or touchdown as the plane slows to a halt after landing. The pilot maneuvers the plane with a 7% thrust paving the way for a 30-knot speed.

Runway 52

Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control Pilot 52

Vintage Aviation News

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024

Bennett, who focused on incorporating a rotor-driven lift system with conventional wings and engines for forward thrust. The auto-rotate design of the rotor allowed Rotodyne to reach speeds of around 190 knots (about 220 mph), thus making it much faster than helicopters at the time.

Runway 59

Runway Drag Airplanes Knot 59

Air Facts

DECEMBER 11, 2024

This catalogued data will guide us to anticipate properly, as you sit behind the controls of your Piper Arrow and fire up the engine to a roar, anticipating the demand to be lifted in space climbing up to the desired altitude. But hold on for a second. What would that plan be?

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Lift Approach True Airspeed 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

A sudden wind shift, a 10-knot or greater speed increase, a 45-degree or more direction change, or gusts exceeding limits may also cause a SPECI. This includes the wind direction in degrees and the wind speed in knots. Cloud ceilings below 1,500 feet or cumulonimbus clouds can trigger a SPECI. 3/4SM : Visibility of ¾ statute miles.

Altimeter 52

Altimeter Weather Wind Shear Runway 52

ABEAM

AUGUST 26, 2023

Also, we noted that our fuel consumption was significantly higher than calculated due to headwinds which were 10 to 15 knots higher than forecast, giving us a ground speed of about 120 knots. The FBO gave us a parking spot on the busy airport and a lift to the hotel: what a great first day ! So we could continue to Iceland.

Weather 52

Weather Clearance Knot Airplanes 52

Flying Magazine

APRIL 30, 2024

You can override the system to manual by lifting a sliding door, but it was honestly completely forgotten within the first half hour of our flight demo. But the engineering behind the G7 didn’t wring a few more knots from the carbon fiber airframe by tweaking fairings or FIKI panels.

Pilot 111

Pilot Airplanes Approach Jet 111

Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

As it does, one aircraft is seeking to capture a particular slice of the advanced air mobility market, one that none of its rivals can challenge – that is, the provision of electric flights for seven people flying at up to 250 knots (450kph) and with a stage length of around 500 miles (800km).

Lift 284

Lift Thrust Weather Payload 284

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

The sudden loss of lift can cause the wheels to dig into the ground. But with a soft field landing, you want to maintain lift and keep the aircraft’s weight on the wings. For a soft field landing, you must maintain the approach speed +10/-5 knots for PPL and +/-5 knots for CPL, plus any gust factor applied.

NOTAMs 52

NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 52

Fear of Landing

OCTOBER 18, 2024

The wind favoured runway 22, as usual, but at only 5-7 knots, it wasn’t really a factor. As my speed increased I lifted the nose of the plane slightly prior to takeoff, but when I did that the nose blocked the few centerline stripes that were my only visual cues to keep going straight. But I had it.

Runway 52

Runway Altimeter Pilot Lift 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. This is consistent with Rick’s report, which referenced 9 knots of wind. Note that a 43 knot gust from a direction of 190 degrees was measured at 17:39, one minute after the accident (provided that the time stamp is accurate).

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Fear of Landing

OCTOBER 4, 2024

Surface Wind South-west 7-12 knots (kt). The airspeed was between 50 and 55 knots and was not increasing. The flaps had been extended for the take-off, in order to increase lift. Wind at 2,000 feet (ft) West to south-west 25-30 kt. Surface to 300 ft West to south-west 10-20 kt. Visibility 40 + kilometres (km).

Runway 52

Runway Pilot Knot Weather 52