Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Or how do modern airplanes reduce dangerous effects like aileron flutter or adverse yaw? From simple mechanical linkages in small aircraft to high-tech fly-by-wire systems in airliners, ailerons have evolved with aviation itself. Adverse yaw is a side effect of aileron use, countered by rudder input. What Is an Aileron?

Aileron

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

Application of Newton’s Third Law in Aviation When we talk about airplanes, we focus primarily on two forces: Lift (how the aircraft stays aloft). High camber generally promotes more airflow deflection, thanks to something called Bernoullis Principle. This generates a downward force on the tail ( reaction ).

Torque

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 8, 2025

This can happen to any airplane type. Critical Angle of Attack As the AOA increases, the wing generates more lift, but only up to a specific point known as the critical angle of attack, typically around 15-20 degrees for general aviation aircraft (though this can vary depending on the wing design).

Lift

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 27, 2025

When you first laid your eyes on the instruments inside an airplane, they probably went wide with a mixture of joy, confusion, and slight apprehension at the thought of having to learn how to read them. For example, when the ball is displaced to the left, this informs the pilot that left rudder input is required.

Pitot Tube

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Another surveillance video camera recorded the airplane now in a nose-down, left-wing-down attitude, then fully rolling left and impacting the ground inverted. In the accident airplane, the left engine fuel valve assembly was found in off position. Most twin-engine airplanes will roll and yaw in the direction of the dead engine.

Knot

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 23, 2024

PARE: Power idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder opposite, Elevator forward. Flat spins are particularly hazardous because the level attitude and reduced airflow over the control surfaces make it difficult to regain control of the airplane. Rudder: Full opposite input to the spin direction. Ready to become a safer pilot?

Center of Gravity

Flying Magazine

JUNE 12, 2025

Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. The fabric-covered wings are reported to be in good condition, and the airplane features LED wing tip nav lights and a dual Univair landing light kit.

Avionics Master Switch

Flying Magazine

JULY 17, 2025

Although owners generally raved—and still do—about the Malibu’s impressive capabilities, it gained a reputation as a problem airplane. As is often the case, the production airplane was heavier than intended, but this was offset by a boost in takeoff weight. Piper’s execution left something to be desired.

Knot

Flying Magazine

JULY 1, 2025

Some do well while others struggle as they get used to the feel of real controls, refine their rudder coordination skills, and attempt to tune radios and VORs without the option of hitting a “pause” button. Most modern general aviation trainer aircraft utilize yokes, but not every yoke is suitable for a home simulator, especially on a budget.

Rudder

Flying Magazine

JULY 11, 2025

For this year’s Ultimate Issue, I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone into an airplane worthy of the Ultimate title. READ MORE: FlightSimCoach.com Available at Home and on Your Schedule To meet the DC-6B for the first time, I loaded onto the general aviation ramp at Boston Logan International Airport (KBOS)—my home airport in-sim.

Flight Deck

Photographic Logbook

JUNE 29, 2025

"Hi.I'm in Delaware." - Wayne Campbell, Wayne's World , 1992 Restless Pilot Syndrome Having resumed acting as pilot in command of my own airplane after a relatively brief setback, I was delighted beyond words to be back at it. Seeing none, I set up for a left downwind to runway 20 and rolled out on the reasonably smooth turf runway.

Runway

Flying Magazine

JULY 28, 2025

However, there are shoes made for other activities that also work well for flying, especially for general aviation pilots who do not have to wear uniforms. Comfort is especially important when you are flying an airplane full of passengers. Like driving shoes for cars, manufacturers design specialized shoes for pilots.

Pilot

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 21, 2024

Stalls are feared in general aviation for being a significant factor in a large proportion of accidents. And we all know that this is a generalization because most wings are designed to stall progressively, not all at once. The next stall would be performed with no rudder.

Rudder

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. Brief that you will use the right rudder to align the aircraft straight with the runway and the left aileron to counteract drift. In most general aviation aircraft, we tend to initiate the flare at 10 feet.

Airplanes

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

What NTSB Reports Say About Impossible Turns and Angle of Attack—Part 2: Analysis, Questions Raised, and Next Steps The current emphasis in general aviation (GA) safety is on visual angle of attack (AOA) indicators and impossible turns (return to the airport following engine failure). The engine problem was unaddressed carburetor ice.

Gross Weight

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 3, 2024

Is it to perfect the maneuver for the next check ride, learn how to recover the airplane after an inadvertent stall, or just avoid the whole thing in the first place? Initial Buffet How do you train for stall avoidance in an airplane that you should not stall? Why do we practice stalls? Each plane stalls a bit differently.

Horizontal Stabilizer

Jetwhine

DECEMBER 25, 2023

Each year for as long as I can remember, Sporty’s Pilot Shop has sent its annual crystal airplane ornament with the Christmas card it sends to members of the aviation media. The Champ was one of the few taildragger airplanes that could be flown solo from the front seat, which greatly improved the visibility for the pilot in command.

Rudder

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

When I had the endurance to drive 20 miles to an appointment, had good situational awareness of all the cars around me on the freeway, and when driving didn’t take 100 percent concentration, I had passed the first challenge before getting in the airplane. A week later it was off into the blue with new Garmin radios in the elderly airframe.

Pitot Tube

Flying Magazine

MAY 14, 2024

In general, the SR22 is faster than many trainers and a bit less forgiving than something like a Cessna 172, particularly when it comes to approach and landing speeds. If you’re stepping up from a slower airplane, beware of falling behind the aircraft. This isn’t the one for you. The post Dream Aircraft: What Can You Fly?

Knot

Air Facts

JANUARY 29, 2025

The squadron now has two newly minted naval aviators, one retread and no airplanes. We know that our new airplanes will be the F2H-3 Banshee night fighter. Without any squadron aircraft available yet, the challenge was revised to renting an aircraft at the local general aviation airporta Piper Cub!

Runway

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

It’s as close to “evasive action” as you can get while flying a general aviation aircraft. To learn all the maneuvers you’ll need to perform on your practical test, check out Airplane Maneuvers Mastery for more. Proper rudder use is required to counter adverse yaw to maintain coordinated flight.

Lift

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 27, 2025

Airbus FlySmart Airbus offers a collection of apps for pilots to assistwith performance planning, maintenance and other operational guidance when flying these airplanes. Bombardier Aerospace This collection of apps provides eLearning, operating procedures and maintenance utilities for operators of Bombardier jet airplanes.

Weather

iPad Pilot News

MAY 29, 2024

Tips for using aviation apps with home flight simulators iPad Pilot News Are you stuck at home and separated from your airplane or just experiencing an unlucky stretch of bad weather? The good news is that you can still fly at home and stay current with your favorite aviation apps using the latest flight simulators.

Rudder

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

The current emphasis in general aviation (GA) safety is on visual angle of attack (AOA) indicators and impossible turns (return to the airport following engine failure). The current emphasis in general aviation (GA) safety is on visual angle of attack (AOA) indicators.

General Aviation

Plane and Pilot

MAY 28, 2025

Theres something about a little yellow tailwheel airplane that has always ignited my soul. After all, a Cub sitting on a hangar pad was what initially drew me to walk into the Ron Alexander Youth Aviation Program , an experience that changed the course of my life at just barely 16 years old. It can hold the extra gross weight.

Rudder

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Alongside a nearby highway, some recognizable bits of airplane, the vertical stabilizer and rudder, a horizontal stabilizer and elevator, fell separately to Earth. The sole probable cause was the pilot’s ‘improper aerobatic maneuver…that exceeded the airplane’s design limits. The breakup started with rudder flutter.

True Airspeed

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Alongside a nearby highway, some recognizable bits of airplane, the vertical stabilizer and rudder, a horizontal stabilizer and elevator, fell separately to Earth. The sole probable cause was the pilot’s ‘improper aerobatic maneuver…that exceeded the airplane’s design limits. The breakup started with rudder flutter.

True Airspeed

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 4, 2025

After building only a handful of airplanes, Morrisey then sold the construction and design rights to Shinn Engineering Inc., Tale of the Tailwheel Recognizing the more challenging characteristics of taxiing a taildragger, why would an aircraft owner go to the trouble of converting a tricycle gear airplane into a taildragger?

Airplanes

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

With the introduction of the Cirrus SR22T in 2010, general aviation had a truly modern, high-flying, personal airplane that could fly at over 200 mph and make reliable long-distance travel a reality for the single-engine piston set. Fifteen of the 20 surviving examples of this airplane are in the U.S.

Rudder

Vintage Aviation News

APRIL 26, 2024

I want it because I want to travel through time and I want to fly a difficult airplane and I want to feel the wind when I fly and I want people to look, to see, to know that glory still exists. Donner told us aviation is in his blood. He was heavily involved in general aviation, so the aviation bug is genetic for me.

Airplanes

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Another surveillance video camera recorded the airplane now in a nose-down, left-wing-down attitude, then fully rolling left and impacting the ground inverted. In the accident airplane, the left engine fuel valve assembly was found in off position. Most twin-engine airplanes will roll and yaw in the direction of the dead engine.

Knot

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

I urged all participants to be airborne by 7:00 am if we were to have any chance of securing limited airplane parking spots on the ice of Alton Bay. He grew up near Lake Winnipesaukee, had watched airplanes landing on the ice as a kid, and never dreamed that he would someday arrive in one. Photo by Ed. Is he moving?!"

Runway

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

If you’ve ever been on a flight and felt the airplane swaying side to side, you might’ve experienced a taste of what’s known as a Dutch roll. Learning about the Dutch roll can make your next flight feel a little more grounded, even when the airplane isn’t. Once the yaw dampens, gradually reduce rudder input to neutral.

Stability

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 15, 2025

VS Stalling speed or minimum steady flight speed at which the airplane is controllable. As we go through them, use the Pilots Operating Handbook (POH) for the airplane you fly, and make a note of the speed for each V-speed. In most General Aviation (GA) aircraft, VR is usually the same regardless of conditions.

V Speed

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 11, 2023

The Warrior was already subjected to hail on my watch during a stop in Kennesaw, GA in 2011 when I watched helplessly as tiny chunks of ice pummeled my airplane. No one wants the skin of their airplane to resemble a dimpled golf ball, Pollyanna commentary about drag reduction aside. Fortunately, the hail was small and the damage minor.

Descent

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 2, 2024

One of the leading causes of fatal general aviation accidents is the loss of aircraft control. Use rudder to check balance. Imagine you’re stuck in a spiral dive, hurtling toward the ground. Completely disoriented and unsure of which way is up. How did you find yourself in this dire situation? Then, restore cruise power.

Altimeter

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Since then, the team has advanced the airplane into a kit, one made out of carbon fiber and incorporating more than 1400 hours of the prototype’s operation. Now available for general sale, the first two production Gweduck kits are under construction at the program’s build facility in Prineville, Oregon. Sea state matters, too.

Airplanes