Air Facts

MARCH 5, 2025

Teaching International Student Pilots Air Facts Journal In the mid 70s, I was a USAF T-38 instructor pilot (IP) in the 71 st Flying Training Wing at Vance AFB (KEND) in Enid, Oklahoma. Two squadrons trained students in their journey to become Air Force pilots. The venerable Tweet A.K.A. The 6000-pound dog-whistle!

Pilot 98

Pilot Knot AGL Approach 98

Plane and Pilot

MARCH 25, 2025

I dont exactly fit the standard pilot profile of Game Aerospaces GB1 GameBird But theres always been something about the GameBird that has piqued my interest. Its first-class team, led by Ian Waghorn, ensures that pilots leave the training program feeling confident, competent, and safe in their new or new-to-them GameBird.

Knot 111

Knot Airplanes Runway Rudder 111

Flight Training Central

MAY 13, 2025

Most experienced pilots would be willing to admit that the perfect landing is much more of an art than a science. Best glide speed is only effective in strong crosswinds. The forward slip turns the airplanes fuselage into the relative wind. How does this affect the airplane aerodynamically? It may not be adjusted.

Approach 78

Approach Descent Final Approach Drag 78

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

This will also correspond with the headings read out by both ATC and the pilot. When an airplane is flying north, it is always said to be flying a heading of three-six-zero, and never zero zero zero degrees. Pilots align their compass or heading indicator with the runway direction during takeoff and landing.

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Pilot Airplanes 98

Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Have you ever thought about landing an airplane without using flaps? It might sound a bit scary, but its a valuable skill for a pilot to master. Think about these scenarios: maybe the flaps stop working, or youre flying an older airplane that doesnt even have them. Better situational awareness. Pre-Landing Checklist 1.

Pilot 52

Pilot Drag Descent Approach 52

Aerotime

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

And the scenario could become even more concerning if a high-crosswind or an engine-out condition were to occur simultaneously with a jammed or restricted rudder. On August 28, 2024, Boeing notified the NTSB that 25 US-registered planes have or had an affected SVO-730 rudder rollout guidance actuator installed. “As

Rudder 301

Rudder Crosswind Airplanes Pilot 301

Air Facts

APRIL 9, 2025

That new plan, when combined with the portable Starlink Mini hardware kit ($499), means pilots can finally have high speed internet access in flight, without large external antennas or prohibitively expensive monthly fees. If this anecdotal sample is any guide, pilots have noticed the news. The system is hardly perfect.

Weather 98

Weather Airplanes Pilot Cockpit 98

Plane and Pilot

APRIL 1, 2025

Airplane ready. Pilot ready? At 500 feet down the runway, the little airplane leaped into the air despite my plan to build more speed before taking off. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, and every sense was tuned to the heartbeat of the small new airplane. I turned crosswind and attempted to shallow the climb.

Gross Weight 65

Gross Weight Runway Crosswind Airplanes 65

Air Facts

MAY 19, 2025

The checklist transformed from mere procedure into a ritual of relationship, a dialogue between pilot and machine. Each flight added new layers of understandingthe way morning fog clings to river valleys, how afternoon thermals dance over mountains, the particular way crosswinds speak to the wings. But slowly, something shifted.

Crosswind 92

Crosswind Approach Tail Weather 92

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 3, 2025

Have you ever wondered how pilots determine wind direction and speed at a glance? A windsock is an essential aviation tool that helps pilots make safe decisions. Role in Aviation and Other Industries What makes windsocks so reliable for pilots? Regular inspection of windsocks makes sure you receive reliable wind information.

Knot 98

Knot Weather Wind Shear Weight-Shift-Control 98

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

Sometimes it’s emotional—the Beech Starship, what few of them are still in the wild, inevitably wow viewers of both the pilot and nonpilot persuasion. How did any given airplane sell? However, the airplane must be completed in a way that it conforms exactly to the SLSA example, of which there must be one for an ELSA to exist.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Knot Pitot Tube Gross Weight 98

Plane and Pilot

MAY 3, 2025

Airplanes like the Piper Cherokee probably dont get their due. Ask a stranger to think of a small GA airplane, and theyll probably conjure something like a Cub. Fearsome metal airplanes helped win a global conflict, yet pilots came home to variations on prewar designs of tube-and-fabric construction and modest performance.

Approach 73

Approach Airplanes Stability Weight-Shift-Control 73

Pilot Institute

MARCH 28, 2025

Pilots avoid vortices by maintaining safe separation and adjusting flight paths. When the aircraft encounters a vortex and its strong enough to induce roll, the pilot counters it by using the ailerons against the roll and tries to fly out of the wake as soon as possible. How Are Wingtip Vortices Formed? Mass and inertia also matter.

Turbulence 97

Turbulence Lift Drag Runway 97

Pilot Institute

MARCH 19, 2025

When flying an airplane, you become a part of the air around you. Pilots use METARs for flight safety, runway selection, and weather planning. Pilots love knowing about the wind. Ideally, they try to land into a headwind, may tolerate crosswinds , and try to avoid significant tailwinds. What Is a METAR?

Weather 84

Weather Altimeter Runway NOTAMs 84

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

Many sim pilots also purchase dedicated peripherals to control the rudder and engines. Never before have sim pilots seen the world portrayed with such stunning accuracy. For the first time, sim pilots can navigate visually using real-world landmarks. .” Well, except Ercoupe pilots.

Rudder 96

Rudder Crosswind Pilot Air Traffic Control 96

Flying Magazine

MAY 14, 2025

Sporty’s Electronic E6B Flight Computer Sporty’s Electronic E6B offers a pilot-friendly design that makes quick work of any navigational, weight and balance, or fuel problem. It includes video training, essential pilot supplies, and access to online learning platforms and mobile apps. inches in diameter.

Flight Computer 78

Flight Computer Crosswind Cockpit Turbulence 78

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 15, 2025

Piper PA-28-180 Riverside, California/Injuries: 1 Minor NTSB Report: WPR23LA156 The pilot completed the airplane’s engine run-up and carburetor heat function checks with no anomalies noted. The pilot initiated a forced landing straight ahead in a field. He did not use carburetor heat during the ground delay or during takeoff.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes Runway Pilot 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

In reality it’s neither, but the bigger problem is that most pilots don’t even know what it means. And since 95% of airports in the US are nontowered, most pilots will use some type of pattern entry every time they fly. ” What about the old fashioned midfield crosswind, which many of us grew up flying?

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Airplanes AGL Runway 98

Air Facts

APRIL 14, 2025

The system for VAOAI is pretty much all of general aviation and not just the hardware on the airplane. Rather, the system, in the largest sense, includes VAOAI advocates and promoters, regulators, pilots, aircraft, regulations, training, airports, air traffic, airspace, weather, publications, public opinion, and more.

Final Approach 90

Final Approach General Aviation Approach Wind Shear 90

Plane and Pilot

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

From 150s to Cherokee 140s to two-place Grumman AA-1s , good airplanes abound, but most are quite commonplace and few really stand out as classic or unique. While, in the air, the two share virtually identical flying characteristics, the tricycle gear of the Tri-Pacer certainly makes it easier to negotiate gusty crosswinds.

Payload 54

Payload Crosswind Thrust Airplanes 54

Air Facts

MAY 14, 2025

Throttle Mismanagement: A T-38 Lesson That Stuck Air Facts Journal An Air Force instructor teaches a powerful lesson on throttle finessein a jet that doesnt forgive overcorrections Have you ever been in a car or plane where the person driving or piloting is constantly adjusting the throttle? Youve got the airplane.

AGL 52

AGL Threshold Final Approach Crosswind 52

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

Airline Pilots Continuing education is required for airline pilots. Most professional pilots will be required to complete a flight proficiency check, either in an actual aircraft, or in a simulator, every six to 12 months. Most professional pilots will be required to complete a flight proficiency check every six to 12 months.

Pilot 94

Pilot Wind Shear Airlines Airline 94

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

Now that you’ve got your wings, you can enter the aviation world as a pilot and realize your dreams of flight—almost. Every pilot will need some essential items to be equipped for tasks in the air and to prepare for contingencies. Quick Look: Great Gear for New Pilots Headsets: Lightspeed Delta Zulu , David Clark H10-13.4

Pilot 96

Pilot Cockpit Crosswind Federal Aviation Regulations 96

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

It can also be dangerous when the learner drops the airplane to fly the checklist or radio, so practice in the ATD is often a good way to learn procedures, as the ATD is a CFI-controlled environment. To get the most out of the scenario, the learner should use the same procedures in the airplane. It’s an ATD.

Crosswind 110

Crosswind VOR Airplanes Runway 110

Pilot Institute

APRIL 22, 2025

Ground reference maneuvers aim to train you to accurately control your airplane under various wind conditions. Think of them as the lessons where you learn to master wind correction, aircraft control, and situational awareness all critical skills for a safe and proficient pilot. Remember to be mindful of anyone on the ground.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Airplanes Aileron Rudder 52

Jetwhine

JUNE 2, 2025

I learned as the days went on that McFarlane is a famous provider of almost anything great for airplanes and has a great reputation for building things better for less money. I walked around the show with Bob that year seeing all kinds of amazing airplane things. It was amazing to see all the people coming and going at our booth.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Crosswind Tail Runway 52

Air Facts

JULY 15, 2024

It felt like pushing it for that airplane, but checkrides are so hard to schedule I went. Several times I’ve landed smoothly in a strong crosswind, then had trouble keeping the airplane on the runway. I approach using the wing low method in a crosswind. Which brings up a point about gusty crosswinds.

Knot 98

Knot Crosswind Rudder Turbulence 98

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 18, 2024

It actually flew fine, and it flies like a normal airplane. “If you view the video of the first flight on YouTube ( LINK ), you’ll see the airplane does some wiggling around, but most of that was done on purpose as I was trying to get the feel of it as fast as I could.” . “The first flight was kind of interesting.

Airplanes 124

Airplanes Crosswind Tail Cockpit 124

Flying Magazine

JUNE 5, 2025

Pilots will notice that the natural spoils of the greater Ozarks region are as stunning from the air than they are on the ground. An additional point of emphasis for pilots flying in is that the runway sits in an east-west orientation and often has a crosswind, caused by north-blowing winds.

Runway 70

Runway Pilot AGL Crosswind 70

Northstar VFR

JULY 21, 2024

It’s a rite of passage for pilots-in-training to hear these words come from their flight instructor repeatedly. The airplane rudder is one of the most misunderstood of the primary flight controls. The yaw of the airplane rotates around its vertical axis. The pilot controls the throttle to create thrust. Stay coordinated!”

Rudder 52

Rudder Airplanes Pilot Stability 52

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 2, 2025

Piper PA-28-180 Riverside, California/Injuries: 1 Minor NTSB Report: WPR23LA156 The pilot completed the airplanes engine run-up and carburetor heat function checks with no anomalies noted. The pilot initiated a forced landing straight head in a field. He did not use carburetor heat during the ground delay or during takeoff.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 87

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes Runway Pilot 87

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 8, 2025

Amy and I walked our gear out to the airplane, and she returned to the FBO while I did my ritual of loading everything up. The FAA would have a conniption at the idea of a new airplane rolling out with a sales brochure for a POH, but thats what the Mooney owners manual is. The hourly forecast called for winds to lessen around 4 p.m.,

Crosswind 96

Crosswind Wind Shear Knot Airplanes 96

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Landing an airplane can be one of the most nerve-wracking tasks for a student pilot. Getting an airplane to fly is easy. As a pilot, you will need time to master it. A pilot must consider several things before landing. If there is a crosswind at the airport, you should mention this in your brief.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Final Approach 52

Plane and Pilot

JULY 9, 2024

The unique H-tail reduces the left-turning tendencies during takeoff while also minimizing the weathervaning effect prevalent in crosswinds. While the original Ercoupes lacked a rudder and rudder pedals entirely, this example has had them installed as an aftermarket kit, making the airplane a bit more familiar for newcomers to fly.

Rudder 92

Rudder Airplanes Crosswind Tail 92

Flight Training Central

MAY 28, 2024

If the wind is as shown by the landing direction indicator, the pilot should land on Runway 9 and expect a crosswind from the right. Runway 27 and expect a crosswind from the right. Which approach and landing objective is assured when the pilot remains on the proper glidepath of the VASI? Pilot in command.

Crosswind 98

Crosswind Runway Clearance Air Traffic Control 98

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Fussing with the avionics to keep tabs on the weather gave many more knob touches than the airplane itself. Kentland has a 4,000-foot runway, east/west, with a crosswind straight out of the north. And on short final at Knoxville, I got chirps from a flock of unrecognized electronic birds, telling me something but not in airplane-speak.

Weather 79

Weather Runway Knot Rudder 79

Vintage Aviation News

APRIL 25, 2025

The aircraft had to land into a 15-knot crosswind, and the plane landed at a speed of 115 mph, well below the standard landing speed of between 150-175 mph. One of these is a Curtiss JN-4D Jenny displayed inverted with the mannequin of a wing-walker standing between the two wings, while the mannequin of a pilot sits in the rear cockpit.

Cockpit 95

Cockpit Pilot Ceiling Rudder 95