Aileron Airplanes True Airspeed 
Pilot Institute
JULY 11, 2025
Key Takeaways Mach number is a dimensionless ratio of true airspeed to local speed of sound. Mach number is simply a ratio of your true airspeed to the local speed of sound. Air density drops with altitude, so for a given true speed, dynamic pressure (and thus IAS) will be lower at high altitudes. Here’s why.
Plane and Pilot
JUNE 23, 2025
Moments later, the airplane crashed. While it wasn’t a particularly hot day, Big Bear’s density altitude was reported as 8,200 feet, resulting in a higher true airspeed compared to indicated airspeed. Increasing true airspeed makes the turn radius wider, resulting in an overshoot.
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Plane and Pilot
JUNE 15, 2025
Velocity Andrews, North Carolina/Injuries: 1 Fatal NTSB Report: ERA23FA194 The owner recently purchased the experimental amateur-built, modified airplane. He did not have a lot of experience in the make and model airplane, so he hired the accident pilot to conduct the first flight since recent modifications.
Flying Magazine
JUNE 30, 2025
CubCrafters offered to bring FLYING the first of the kitbuilt NXCubs to north Idaho and turn us loose with it for two weeks to fly into the backcountry—introducing pilots of all experience and skill levels to the airplane. CubCrafters said its goal was to build an airplane with a 1,000-pound useful load. That got our attention.
Flying Magazine
MAY 1, 2024
“Wing warping,” as this approach was called, was satisfactory for very slow airplanes, but faster ones required more rigidity, and by around 1908 or 1909 the idea had arisen of replacing part of the trailing edge of a wing with a hinged, controllable flap. His invention had been forgotten, however, by the time real airplanes came into being.
Plane and Pilot
JUNE 2, 2025
Piper PA-28-180 Riverside, California/Injuries: 1 Minor NTSB Report: WPR23LA156 The pilot completed the airplanes engine run-up and carburetor heat function checks with no anomalies noted. Velocity Andrews, North Carolina/Injuries: 1 Fatal NTSB Report: ERA23FA194 The owner recently purchased the experimental amateur-built, modified airplane.
Pilot Institute
MAY 4, 2024
Your aircraft will fly at a faster true airspeed at higher density altitudes. Airplanes with higher wing loading may need power all the way until the flare. Use the rudder to keep the aircraft in line with the runway and apply aileron into the wind. Establish the target approach speed by around 500 feet AGL.
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