Pilot Institute

APRIL 22, 2025

Interestingly, the FAA started issuing BasicMed for general aviation (GA) pilots as an alternative to the third-class medical certificate in 2017. The requirement applies to private, commercial, and airline transport pilots, as well as flight engineers and navigators who fly internationally.

Pilot 86

Pilot Weight-Shift-Control Lift Airplanes 86

Learn to Fly

JULY 11, 2024

Did you know that loss of control (LOC) is the number one root cause of fatalities in both general aviation (GA) and commercial aviation? This happens regardless of weight, bank angle, temperature, density altitude, or center of gravity. What can pilots do to prevent this?

Airfoil 40

Airfoil Center of Gravity Density Altitude Drag 40

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

How Do Wings Generate Lift The purpose of wings is to generate lift, that is, create an upward force. They are designed with a special shape called an airfoil, which encourages passing air to turn and deflect downward. High camber generally promotes more airflow deflection, thanks to something called Bernoullis Principle.

Lift 52

Lift Torque Thrust Aileron 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

The airfoil is a Harry Riblett shape, giving modernized flow separation on the leading edge for a soft stall yet with good lift and drag performance. This is a Riblett-airfoil airplane with a slow stall speed (we got it down to 42 knots IAS and it didn’t stall) and a cruise speed of 120 knots.

Airplanes 77

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 77