Air Facts

AUGUST 1, 2025

I sat in the cockpit of the old Tecnam P92-JS Echo, tail number I-GITR. The plane was one of the earliest of its model built by Tecnam, and the tail number was an homage to former Italian finance minister Giulio Tremonti. Tail number I-GITR. I replied, “I hear you loud and clear, Giorgio—can you hear me?” Full flaps down.

Runway

Pilot Institute

JUNE 2, 2025

Thats why, for a passenger, phugoid motion feels like a series of slow climbs and descents instead of pitching up and down. Notice the altimeter needle swing up and down gently, up to a few hundred feet. The Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) will show a cycle of shallow climbs and descents. As it descends, it regains speed.

Stability

Plane and Pilot

JULY 1, 2025

Investigators noted at the time of the accident the temperature was 30 degrees Celsius, the dew point was 4 C, and the altimeter setting was 29.98. John Espe Cruiser Buhl, Idaho/Injuries: None NTSB Report: WPR23LA29 The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing, he encountered a gusting tail wind.

Density Altitude

Photographic Logbook

MAY 19, 2025

As with any taildragger, each rudder input required positive cancelation with opposite rudder to prevent the tail's momentum from yawing the airplane more than intended. The altimeter now showed 5,000' and we had plummeted through the altitude of the scattered cloud layer. OK, recover," Don prompted from the backseat. Chop and drop!"

Rudder

Airspeed Junkie

AUGUST 2, 2024

This system includes modes for: roll pitch heading vertical speed altitude hold approach These modes allow for a steady rate of descent, ascent, and consistent speed and altitude ranges. Notable design changes included the introduction of a swept tail design in 1960 and a new cowl design in 1961, which improved aerodynamics and performance.

Knot

Fear of Landing

OCTOBER 18, 2024

When I saw the altimeter start to climb I raised the landing gear and let out the breath I’d apparently been holding. However, just as the altimeter started to climb, the Baron faltered. They saw the tail of the air craft, about a mile west of the airport and 300 feet below. Dinner was excellent.” There were no survivors.

Runway