Aileron Drag Final Approach 
Pilot's Life Blog
JUNE 18, 2025
A power-off 180 is a critical maneuver that simulates an engine failure on final approach, requiring pilots to glide the aircraft and execute a precise 180-degree turn to a safe landing spot. Use ailerons and rudder together to maintain coordinated flight. Deploying flaps prematurely increases drag and shortens glide distance.
Pilot Institute
MAY 8, 2025
You’re on your final approach and suddenly realize your landing gear isnt down. During certain phases of flight, you may retract the landing gear to reduce drag and improve climb performance. Later, as you approach your destination, you’ll need to extend the gear again for landing. But how does this happen?
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Flying Magazine
APRIL 26, 2024
The small aileron “tabs” were not doing a great job in crosswind ability. For the final approach, I calculated V REF of about 128 was fought with much shear, with airspeed variances of up to 20 to 30 knots, providing a wild ride. As is often the case with swept-wing jets, sometimes extra drag is required beyond gear and flaps.
Pilot Institute
JULY 12, 2024
How to Improve the Final Approach After lining up with the extended centerline, assess if the aircraft is above or below the glidepath. Add any more pressure, and the wheel will stop rotating and drag along the runway instead. Keep the ailerons into the wind. Similarly, avoid deploying the flaps while turning.
Pilot Institute
APRIL 5, 2024
Your ailerons and rudder will be neutral once you’re in the crab position. Simultaneously, we apply ailerons opposite the rudder input. The ailerons control our lateral position over the runway. We use just enough aileron input to prevent the aircraft from drifting downwind. We call this de-crabbing.
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