Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 12, 2025

Rudder pedals help manage yaw, which keeps the aircraft aligned during turns or crosswinds. Our approach guarantees youll be comfortable handling any maneuver when flying a small plane, even in challenging conditions. Landing Approaches Landing is one of the most technical aspects of flying a small plane.

Weather 52

Weather Pilot Drag Rudder 52

Flight Training Central

DECEMBER 4, 2023

The approach for the soft-field landing is similar to the normal approach. The major difference between the two is that a degree of power is used throughout the level-off and touchdown for the soft-field landing so as to control the descent rate all the way to touch down. VS0 should be used.

Approach 52

Approach Ground Effect Final Approach Airplanes 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

If utilizing Runway 17 with left traffic, the crosswind turn will be heading 080, downwind 350, base 260, etc. Put the aircraft in level flight to give them a moment to consider their next course of action so they are not anxiously doing climbs, descents, and unplanned turns. This is a lesson that should not be rushed.

Crosswind 110

Crosswind Airplanes VOR Runway 110

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

Key Takeaways Start by setting up your approach correctly to ensure you arrive at the threshold perfectly every time. Perfect the approach phase by managing the aircraft’s energy and using references to improve positioning throughout the pattern. Flying the Approach Haphazard approaches are very likely to lead to haphazard landings.

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Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Briefing A pre-landing briefing highlights essential points critical to the approach and landing phase. If there is a crosswind at the airport, you should mention this in your brief. Discuss your nominated crosswind technique. Explain what aircraft input you will require to land the aircraft in the crosswind.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Crosswind 52

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 27, 2025

From misjudging the flare to battling crosswinds, these mistakes can challenge pilots of all experience levels. This article dives into the most prevalent landing errors, shedding light on why they occur and how they can sneak into even the most carefully executed approaches. This climbing during the roundout is known as ballooning.

Airplanes 89

Airplanes Runway Accelerated Stall Lift 89

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

Once there, he put us in a slight right turn toward our first fuel stop 60 miles ahead, continuously fighting the stick as the gusting left crosswind did its best to push us off course. As the sun began its descent, we began the final leg of what would end up being a four-hour trek.

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 98

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

It only takes a 10% increase in approach speed to increase the landing roll by 20%. These obstacles frequently affect the approach and missed approach paths. Plan your approach path carefully to eliminate large pitch and power changes. Any substantial changes to speed and descent rate will destabilize the landing.

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Weight-Shift-Control Runway Density Altitude Approach 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 13, 2024

Everything seems to be going well on approach, and then out of nowhere, you feel the jolt. Key Takeaways Bounced landings can result from excessive speed, improper flare, or high descent rates. High Descent Rate While landing, if you have a high descent rate, the wheels can hit the ground hard and cause a bounce.

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Descent Runway Rudder Pilot 52

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

This greatly simplified descent planning. Re-Dun has a primary 20 foot wide paved runway 17-35 (though FAA sources still indicate it to be grass 60' wide) and a grass crosswind runway that is typically completely lined with parked fly-in airplanes. Closer to the south end of Seneca Lake, the moody clouds finally broke.

Crosswind 53

Crosswind Runway Airplanes Descent 53

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 2, 2025

Near the crosswind to downwind turn, the engine sounded loud, and the airplane descended into a wooded field and a post-impact fire ensued. Recorded track data revealed that the pilot began a descent to the destination airport and crossed over the approach end of the runway on a heading perpendicular to the runway heading.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 87

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes Runway Pilot 87

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 23, 2025

Landing Approach and descent Returning to the airport involves setting up for a stable approach. Although I consider myself somewhat of a fearless adrenaline junkie, watching the wheel just outside my window touch down on the pavement while the other was still suspended as we leaned into a crosswind got my heart racing a bit.

Rudder 98

Rudder Descent Pilot Runway 98

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

As you approach the airport, monitor UNICOM for landing or departing traffic. Another performance factor is the approach speed. The slower the approach, the shorter the landing distance. Many aircraft have specific recommended normal and short-field approach speeds. It will allow you to fine-tune your approach.

NOTAMs 52

NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

This approach gives perspective on all factors, including those that might otherwise be ignored or unrecognized. NTSB ERA22LA169 describes a funny engine noise that prompted an earlier than planned turn to crosswind for an anticipated return to the airport. NTSB ERA22LA393 shows an airplane slow on approach that flared high.

Gross Weight 98

Gross Weight Runway Airplanes Pilot 98

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 2, 2025

Camera at the Ready We passed from Syracuse, through multiple sectors of Boston Center, and ultimately to Boston Approach once within the boundaries of New Hampshire. The Bear wielded her trusty Nikon like a pro and captured our approach and landing. Same course, same altitude, same frequency handoffs as the week prior.

Runway 95

Runway Knot Weather Turbulence 95

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 15, 2025

Near the crosswind to downwind turn, the engine sounded loud, and the airplane descended into a wooded field and a postimpact fire ensued. Recorded track data revealed that the pilot began a descent to the destination airport and crossed over the approach end of the runway on a heading perpendicular to the runway heading.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes Runway Pilot 52

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. The reliability of the Cessna 172 shines through in various flight conditions, including crosswinds and turbulence.

Knot 98

Knot Cockpit Pilot Gross Weight 98

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 27, 2025

Cirrus Approach Access all your Cirrus airframe and avionics training courses in one easy-to-use mobile platform. Spin-a-Wind This app makes it a breeze to calculate headwind/crosswind components, temperature conversions, pressure/density altitude and true airspeed computations, using a pilot-friendly interface.

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Weather Pilot Flight Plan Airplanes 91

Professional Pilot

JULY 3, 2024

Climate Scientist T he pilots of the intercontinental business jet had just finished transmitting their position report from FL330 over the Philippine Sea when one noticed the contrails of a commercial jet approaching their position a few thousand feet above their altitude. Turbulence intensity table.

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Turbulence Weather Jet Pilot 40

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

JANUARY 14, 2024

I spotted another green stripes livery on this A330-900neo on final approach to this airport. Anyway, on our approach to Athens, we were greeted with a spectacular view of the landscape but there was quite a bit of crosswind which made the ride slightly uncomfortable but not long after we landed smoothly on runway 21L.

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Airlines Airline Weather Turbulence 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Aileron Control In Stalls And Spins A wing stalls when the airflow approaches it at an angle greater than the Critical Angle of Attack. The resulting loss of lift leads to a rapid descent by the aircraft. They just keep the wings level, and the aircraft will simply drift with the wind if its experiencing any significant crosswind.

Aileron 90

Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

Whenever aircraft encounter crosswinds, the most noticeable impact is felt in yaw. Thats because the tail has a large vertical surface that catches a lot of crosswind. Unwanted yaw can come from crosswinds, as mentioned earlier, or from the ailerons as adverse yaw. Its very useful if youre too high on approach.

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Lift Torque Thrust Aileron 52

Northstar VFR

MARCH 23, 2025

As the plane descends toward the runway on final approach, it may encounter various scenarios where a safe landing cannot be assured. As soon as the pilot realizes this, they must abort the landing and climb back to traffic pattern altitude and attempt the approach and landing again. How Do You Perform a Go-Around?

Pilot 52

Pilot Wind Shear Instrument Meteorological Conditions Runway 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

It was smooth, comfortable, and beautiful until I began our descent into the pattern at KOSH and extended the gear. I chose runway 14 (the UGN crosswind runway) and the crash and resuce vehicles moved onto the adjacent taxiway. No gear light appeared on the control panel indicating a gear problem. There was no issue on the flight.

Pilot 98

Pilot Descent Runway Crosswind 98

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

A bad approach results in a bad landing. A go-around is a maneuver performed to abort or reject a landing on the final approach or once the aircraft has already touched down. Top Reasons for Go-Arounds Unstabilized Approach An aircraft must have a stabilized approach before landing. What Is a Go-Around?

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Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 11, 2024

Off Sodus, I briefly leveled at 2,500 feet to remain visual until I received my instrument clearance from Rochester Approach. South of Buffalo, I tried to assist Approach by alerting them to a Citabria west of the Perry-Warsaw Airport that was trying to reach them. Looking north to the east end of Lake Erie and Buffalo, NY.

Runway 89

Runway Approach Knot Drag 89

Air Facts

AUGUST 21, 2024

As I approach 10 nm out, I make a call on 122.7 The radio is quiet as I approach, and the turn to the 45 degree entry is easy and smooth. Descent and landing is smooth and calm this evening, and I make a wheel landing for the fun of it. A cruise climb as I make my crosswind turn, then downwind, more radio calls on the way.

Groundspeed 98

Groundspeed Runway Approach Crosswind 98

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 23, 2024

You had a crosswind , so the wind wasn’t helping you out, but that’s all right. Data shows a constant high-speed descent straight toward the runway. The pressure of a no-go-around approach is immense. So, still about 60-65 degrees, so we’re getting some help out to ya. So just hang in there.” “I I had too much speed.

Knot 93

Knot Runway Pilot Groundspeed 93

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 23, 2024

You had a crosswind , so the wind wasn’t helping you out, but that’s all right. Data shows a constant high-speed descent straight toward the runway. The pressure of a no-go-around approach is immense. So, still about 60-65 degrees, so we’re getting some help out to ya. So just hang in there.” “I I had too much speed.

Knot 52

Knot Runway Pilot Groundspeed 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 19, 2024

To arrest this descent, you need to generate more lift. Pitching down for airspeed magnifies the already steep descent rate. When banking, you must increase the angle of attack to keep the descent rate in check. Altitude lost reflects a descent rate range between 740 ft/min and 1,000 ft/min.

AGL 52

AGL Runway Descent Lift 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

But it was apparent the smallest Grumman flying boat was too small and full of quirks—the cabin door won’t open if the flaps are down, for example—to justify something approaching a direct copy. The Prototype Ben and Ross’s vision in 1990 was a fiberglass Widgeon. A not so obvious advantage is taxiing.

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Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 79

AV Web

APRIL 15, 2025

As he approached the herd, with the intention of driving the cattle into the corral, the bull departed and headed toward an area covered with heavy mesquite brush. Fixed-Wing Foibles Consider the Airbus first officer (FO) who tried to satisfy ATCs request to increase their descent (rate), so he engaged open descent mode.

Pilot 52

Pilot Airplanes Runway Descent 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

MAY 7, 2025

At this point, we were on final approach towards LHR's runway 27R. While climbing, we had to endure the turbulent condition due to the strong crosswind. We started our descent and for the rest of our flight, the flying condition was great. We were on final approach into runway 27R. Welcome to London! Almost there!

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Turbulence Cabin Crew Weather Runway 59