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Examining over 100 years of flight automation and the history of the autopilot

Aerotime

Largely gone are the days when pilots had to manually control their aircraft from engine start-up to shut down by keeping their hands rigidly fixed on the controls at all times. As a result, the first autopilot was developed to introduce an element of control on the trajectory of airplanes. What is an autopilot?

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Everything You Need To Know About Ailerons

Pilot Institute

These control surfaces dictate the aircraft’s roll, and this allows it to bank smoothly through turns or even recover from turbulence. Have you ever wondered how pilots keep control at high speeds, during stalls, or even when systems fail? Key Takeaways Ailerons control the aircrafts roll by adjusting lift on each wing.

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Today in Aviation History: First Flight of The Mitsubishi 3MT5

Vintage Aviation News

Tasked with creating an aircraft that could meet the Navy’s evolving and often shifting requirements, Petty and his team faced an uphill battle. The wings were metal structures covered with fabric, a common practice that balanced strength and weight considerations. Leading the design team was British engineer G.

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What Is a Flat Spin?

Pilot Institute

Key Takeaways A flat spin is a dangerous, level-flight spin with reduced control effectiveness. A flat spin happens when the center of gravity shifts too far aft (toward the tail), and the aircraft’s rotation becomes more horizontal. Ready to become a safer pilot? Let’s get started!