Pilot Institute

JUNE 4, 2025

The Weather Vane It mostly comes from the vertical stabilizer (fin) and the sides of the fuselage behind the center of gravity. Use of Reflex Airfoils Ever notice how many tailless aircraft have wings that curve at the trailing edge? This type of design is a reflex airfoil. Flying wings dont have tails or elevators.

Tail 52

Tail Airplanes Weight-Shift-Control Drag 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 22, 2025

Powered-lift: Heavier-than-air aircraft capable of vertical takeoff, vertical landing, and low speed flight that depends principally on engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust for lift during these flight regimes and on nonrotating airfoil(s) for lift during horizontal flight.

Pilot 86

Pilot Weight-Shift-Control Lift Airplanes 86

Learn to Fly

JULY 11, 2024

This happens regardless of weight, bank angle, temperature, density altitude, or center of gravity. An angle of attack (AOA) indicator can determine the aerodynamic health of the airfoil (wing). An airplane will, however, always stall at the same angle of attack, called the critical angle of attack.

Airfoil 40

Airfoil Center of Gravity Density Altitude Drag 40

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

This principle is fundamental in generating lift, thrust, and maneuverability, allowing aircraft to fly. Thrust (how it moves forward). They are designed with a special shape called an airfoil, which encourages passing air to turn and deflect downward. That force is called thrust. Wings do just that.

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 79

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 79