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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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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!

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Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Sage Type 3

Vintage Aviation News

During the First World War, many companies that produced peacetime products shifted towards contributing to the war effort. The prototype, along with a second example, was modified with smaller vertical tail surfaces and some of the aircraft’s overall weight was reduced, leading to the aircraft gaining an additional 4 mph.

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Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Beechcraft Model 18

Vintage Aviation News

This led to the design of a twin engine, all-metal transport with fabric-covered control surfaces and a twin tail configuration. Peyton at the controls. This aircraft was powered by two Wright R-760 seven-cylinder radial engines, each producing 350 hp. Army flew its C-45s until 1976.

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More than 11 Blériots!

Vintage Aviation News

[James Kightly] One of Louis Blriot’s major achievements, and one he deserves credit for, was his control system. In the pre-1910 period there were numerous variations in the ways people developed to control their aircraft. An example of the Blriot control system on display in Londons Science Museum.

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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.

Aileron 90
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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.