Ask Captain Lim

DECEMBER 11, 2024

An Airbus A350 in a strong crosswind with nose pointing away How do pilots handle their planes in strong crosswinds? Landing in strong crosswinds is among the most challenging tasks for pilots, requiring precise techniques to ensure the aircraft touches down safely. Some airlines impose a lower limitation.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Pilot Approach Final Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

The 26-year-old pilot was the plane’s only occupant and was pronounced dead by first responders at 12:06 p.m. The pilot, a homebuilder with a young family, had landed at 11:11 a.m. The pilot, a homebuilder with a young family, had landed at 11:11 a.m. The pilot soloed when he was 16 and had around 920 total flying hours.

Pilot 67

Pilot Knot Airplanes Lift 67

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

The pilot died instantly. Alongside a nearby highway, some recognizable bits of airplane, the vertical stabilizer and rudder, a horizontal stabilizer and elevator, fell separately to Earth. I think there are only about 150 hours on it,” he said when asked about the plane and pilot. The pilot learned to fly in the U.S.

True Airspeed 70

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 70

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

The pilot died instantly. Alongside a nearby highway, some recognizable bits of airplane, the vertical stabilizer and rudder, a horizontal stabilizer and elevator, fell separately to Earth. I think there are only about 150 hours on it,” he said when asked about the plane and pilot. The pilot learned to fly in the U.S.

True Airspeed 68

True Airspeed Indicated Airspeed Horizontal Stabilizer Aileron 68

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

The 26-year-old pilot was the plane’s only occupant and was pronounced dead by first responders at 12:06 p.m. The pilot, a homebuilder with a young family, had landed at 11:11 a.m. The pilot, a homebuilder with a young family, had landed at 11:11 a.m. The pilot soloed when he was 16 and had around 920 total flying hours.

Pilot 68

Pilot Knot Airplanes Lift 68

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

Sometimes it’s emotional—the Beech Starship, what few of them are still in the wild, inevitably wow viewers of both the pilot and nonpilot persuasion. The canopy provides plenty of headroom for even taller pilots, while the view over the nose is equally generous. But successful? Not at all. How did any given airplane sell?

Airplanes 88

Airplanes Knot Pitot Tube Gross Weight 88

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024

Robert Buck, whose books North Star Over My Shoulder and Weather Flying should be required reading yearly for pilots, pointed out that in his career, which spanned from World War II to retiring as a 747 captain, he could usually size up a fellow pilot’s abilities before they even got airborne.

Rudder 62

Rudder Runway Altimeter Pilot 62

Jetwhine

JANUARY 17, 2024

I’ve been flying jets for years as a corporate pilot, but not real jets to some … like fighter jets. When opportunity knocked with an offer to fly an Aero Vodochody L–39 Albatros (one “s” in the Czech spelling)—a single-engine bird still used as a basic trainer for some nation’s fighter pilots—I jumped at the chance.

Knot 52

Knot Rudder Pilot Jet 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

You’re not supposed to feel it like you do the aircraft, but this can make you a better pilot as you will develop instrument scan and interpretation skills. READ MORE: Our Pilots of the Future May Share Sim Stories Partial power loss scenarios—especially at low altitude—are very useful. It’s an ATD.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Airplanes VOR Runway 105

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. Further complicating matters was the fact that the plane would be delivered by civilian pilots.

Runway 86

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 86

Air Facts

OCTOBER 7, 2024

Navy primary flight training—the instructor had it coming Air Facts Journal Second Lieutenant Arnold Reiner Marine Corps recruitment brochures in the early ’60s described three pilot training pipelines: jets, transports and helicopters. We were grouped in sections of about 15 to 20 student pilots.

Cockpit 98

Cockpit Rudder Tail Indicated Airspeed 98

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

Despite the easygoing name, many pilots find lazy eights harder than they thought. There’s a reason why it’s been a commercial pilot practical test staple for decades. If you’re about to begin your commercial pilot journey, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s get started.

Rudder 52

Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

Even the best of pilots can mess up sometimes. But for new pilots, it can be tough to figure out where it all went wrong. A stabilized approach requires the pilot to establish and maintain a constant angle glidepath towards an aiming point. Flying at 60 knots? Pilots select their target airspeed for each approach.

Descent 52

Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 52

Flight Training Central

MARCH 4, 2024

The bank angle should be reduced gradually with coordinated aileron and rudder input. The pilot should be prepared for the necessary crosswind correction and compensate by turning more than 90° angling toward the inside of the rectangular course. The next leg is where the airplane turns from an upwind leg position to the crosswind leg.

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Groundspeed Crosswind Aileron Rudder 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

Key Takeaways Slow flight trains pilots to handle the aircraft at speeds just above stalling. Common mistakes include neglecting clearing turns, delaying stall recovery, and misusing the rudder. That’s why it’s crucial for pilots to learn aircraft control at low speeds. Pilots use reference stalling speeds instead.

Lift 52

Lift Rudder Drag AGL 52

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024

Robert Buck, whose books North Star Over My Shoulder and Weather Flying should be required reading yearly for pilots, pointed out that in his career, which spanned from World War II to retiring as a 747 captain, he could usually size up a fellow pilot’s abilities before they even got airborne.

Rudder 52

Rudder Runway Altimeter Pilot 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

Sometimes it’s emotional—the Beech Starship, what few of them are still in the wild, inevitably wow viewers of both the pilot and nonpilot persuasion. The canopy provides plenty of headroom for even taller pilots, while the view over the nose is equally generous. But successful? Not at all. How did any given airplane sell?

Airplanes 80

Airplanes Knot Pitot Tube Gross Weight 80

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Landing an airplane can be one of the most nerve-wracking tasks for a student pilot. As a pilot, you will need time to master it. A pilot must consider several things before landing. Brief that you will use the right rudder to align the aircraft straight with the runway and the left aileron to counteract drift.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 3, 2024

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) Air Safety Institute has published an excellent report titled, “ Stall and Spin Accidents: Keep the Wings Flying.” It is an easy download and a must-read for all pilots. The late fighter/test pilot Bob Hoover said it best: “Fly the airplane as far into the crash as possible.”

Approach 62

Approach Airplanes Horizontal Stabilizer Pilot 62

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 13, 2024

Bounced landings are something almost every pilot has experience with. Even experienced pilots must remain cautious to prevent bounced landing accidents. The Cessna 172, known for its forgiving nature, can encounter bounced landings if the pilot is not careful. You should use the rudder to do this. What do you do?

Descent 52

Descent Runway Rudder Pilot 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

About 90% of accidents could have been prevented by the pilot. Most can be avoided by diligent pre-flight preparations; by paying attention to what’s happening around us; by staying disciplined and flying within one’s margins; and by avoiding basic piloting mistakes through regular practice.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

This 172 had a flap extension speed of 85 knots, and my old Cessna 172’s limit was 100 mph, or 87 knots. The 172 has a steerable nosewheel, much heavier than the rudders on my RV-9A with a castering nosewheel. It’s curious to me that we pilots shoot LPV approaches, but ATC doesn’t know what they are.

Pitot Tube 61

Pitot Tube Approach Aileron Instrument Landing System 61

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Short field landings are a true test of a pilot’s skill. They are also one of the most feared maneuvers during the private pilot checkride. Whether you’re new to short field landings or a pilot needing a refresher, this essential guide is for you. Feeling overwhelmed by this challenging maneuver?

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Approach Crosswind 52

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 2, 2024

Pilots and flight schools favor this aircraft for its ease of use and dependable performance. First introduced in 2005, this all-glass cockpit revolutionized the flying experience for pilots by providing a comprehensive and intuitive interface. This article explores the Cessna Skyhawk C172’s features, evolution, and lasting appeal.

Knot 52

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

The FAA weather said a thunderstorm was forecast, gusts to 6 knots. After turning the corner, I was rewarded with tailwinds of up to 22 knots, so the big detour cost me only 15 minutes. Full flaps and 80 knots, trimmed, the airplane asked, is this what I really wanted? There was also a link to a bridge for sale. No complaints.

Weather 60

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 60

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Steep turns should be one of the most fun maneuvers pilots learn. But for many pilots, flying coordinated turns while keeping altitude and speed steady is hard enough. In maintaining a properly coordinated steep turn, the pilot must use the opposite aileron to maintain bank. Induced Drag Induced drag is a byproduct of lift.

Lift 52

Lift Aileron Drag Pilot 52

Northstar VFR

AUGUST 11, 2024

Pilots are known for liking speed, whether it’s in an aircraft, motorcycle, or boat. Let’s look at the basics of slow flight: what it is, why we practice it as pilots, and the fundamentals of performing slow flight. You can study more on the aerodynamics of slow flight in Chapter 5 of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.

Checkride 52

Checkride Airplanes Pilot AGL 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Even at 60 knots over VY, we were still climbing at a rate that would shock the private students we’d just left below and behind in the pattern. At one time I mainly flew solo, VFR, as a stick-and-rudder aviator. The post A Full-Circle Celebration appeared first on Plane & Pilot Magazine.

Aileron 52

Aileron Rudder Airplanes Pilot 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

The FAA weather said a thunderstorm was forecast, gusts to 6 knots. After turning the corner, I was rewarded with tailwinds of up to 22 knots, so the big detour cost me only 15 minutes. Full flaps and 80 knots, trimmed, the airplane asked, is this what I really wanted? There was also a link to a bridge for sale. No complaints.

Weather 52

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 52

Photographic Logbook

MARCH 10, 2024

It was evidence that high wing pilots who buy low wing airplanes need to process their surroundings in a different way. These kinds of events change a pilot's behavior. How many pilots grab the housing of their alternator to give it a good shake on every preflight? Don't tell anyone I gave you that tow bar!" I said it was dodgy.)

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Knot Avionics Master Switch Runway 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

No flying in winds exceeding 10 knots, no chance of obscuring precipitation, no use of runways shorter than 5,000 feet, no risk of encountering darkness or lowering ceilings. Even if it’s possible to complete the training course in a reasonable time with these stipulations, the product of a bubble-wrapped curriculum is a half-trained pilot.

Runway 52

Runway Wind Shear Crosswind Ceiling 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

No flying in winds exceeding 10 knots, no chance of obscuring precipitation, no use of runways shorter than 5,000 feet, no risk of encountering darkness or lowering ceilings. Even if it’s possible to complete the training course in a reasonable time with these stipulations, the product of a bubble-wrapped curriculum is a half-trained pilot.

Runway 52

Runway Wind Shear Crosswind Ceiling 52

Fear of Landing

OCTOBER 18, 2024

A pilot who goes by Coyote Stan commented : “Everyone should get an opportunity to land and take off from this runway. That day, the Piper Arrow was carrying two flight instructors and a student pilot from Proteus Aero, a flight school based in Santa Monica. On a good day clear skies it’s an adventure.” CC-BY-SA 3.0

Runway 52

Runway Altimeter Pilot Lift 52

Vintage Aviation News

JUNE 10, 2024

After graduating from DePauw University, where he earned his private pilot’s license through the US government-sponsored Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP), Vraciu enlisted in the U.S. Vraciu would recall later that in fact, he and his fellow Hellcat pilots were looking forward to this mission.

Cockpit 128

Cockpit Tail Pilot Stability 128

Air Facts

AUGUST 26, 2024

What matters for VFR proficiency: better landings Air Facts Journal Earlier this year I argued that if IFR pilots wanted to prevent accidents, they should focus on the most boring of skills: basic attitude instrument flying. It’s not just GA pilots who can struggle with airspeed control. Neither one is good.

Knot 98

Knot Runway Airplanes Pilot 98

Air Facts

JUNE 21, 2024

It didn’t occur to me that he was trying to show he could fly like a fighter pilot or something, because after all, we were in a Cessna 172. I let him have the controls again, my hands approximately one-sixteenth of an inch away away from the yoke, my feet surreptitiously on the rudders. And a knot is 1.15 I looked at him.

Rudder 74

Rudder Crosswind Knot Aileron 74

Flying Magazine

APRIL 26, 2024

The manufacturer is targeting a “pilot operational campaign” in the country within the next few years. Viceroy is designed to combine the speed of an aircraft (cruising at 180 mph or 156 knots) with the functionality and low operating cost of a boat. I’m a pilot. A lot of our founding team members are pilots.

Ground Effect 115

Ground Effect Rudder Knot Pilot 115