Plane and Pilot

JUNE 23, 2025

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. There were other factors combining to cause the overshoot.

True Airspeed

Air

MAY 21, 2025

Crosswind: The Sideways Challenge A crosswind blows across your intended flight path , being most critical during the takeoff and landing phases. Pilots must use specific techniques, applying rudder and aileron inputs, to maintain directional control and keep the aircraft aligned. – A negative value indicates tailwind.

Crosswind

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

We correct for the overbanking tendency with aileron opposite the turn. However, the aircraft tends to overbank at a low airspeed or when the bank angle is steep. The aileron on the right wing deflects down, increasing the camber and creating more lift. The left wing’s aileron deflects up, decreasing lift.

Rudder