Pilot Institute

JULY 11, 2025

Since it’s a ratio, it doesn’t matter if you measure speed in knots, miles per hour, or meters per second. At sea level on a standard day (15 °C or 59 °F), sound travels about 661 knots (approximately 761 mph or 1,225 km/h). Here, Mach 1 is roughly 573 knots (about 659 mph). The Mach value stays the same.

True Airspeed

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

At first glance, ailerons look like ordinary hinged panels on the wings, but don’t be fooledthey’re important for keeping an aircraft both stable and maneuverable. But theres much more to ailerons than just rolling left or right. Or how do modern airplanes reduce dangerous effects like aileron flutter or adverse yaw?

Aileron

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

We correct for the overbanking tendency with aileron opposite 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. For a Cessna 172, the recommended indicated airspeed for the maneuver is 105 knots.

Rudder