Pilot Institute

DECEMBER 31, 2024

Pilots must adapt their approach and landing technique during flap failure. The flaps on an aircraft are used for controlled descents with slower airspeed during the approach and landing. Certain Conditions Certain conditions, such as severe icing or busy airspace (request for faster approach), may require a no-flaps landing.

Pilot

Pilot Institute

JUNE 9, 2025

Wind correction is critical, especially crosswind drift on the outbound leg. If it is obvious that the bad weather is transitory, air traffic control may ask approaching aircraft to take up a holding pattern while the weather subsides. And one at a time will shuffle down until it is their turn to commence the approach.

Airplanes

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

As we approached the gate, my phone rang again. The RNAV approach to the 7,000-foot Runway 31 that snakes around from the Runway 4 extended centerline, loops past Citi Field, and rolls out on a tight-in final approach. Now, if you’re on a 25-mile, straight-in approach to an 11,000-foot runway, there’s time to process that.

Runway

WayMan

APRIL 17, 2025

Pilots use this visual cue to plan their runway approach and takeoff to ensure theyre flying into the winda practice that increases lift and aircraft control. Estimating Wind Speed Through Windsock Observations Windsocks also help pilots estimate wind speed by how far the sock extends: Partially extended (3 knots): Indicates light wind.

Knot

Pilot Institute

MARCH 28, 2025

Pilots need to keep this behavior in mind as theyre likely to encounter these vortices while theyre on approach or during departure. This lateral movement takes place at a speed of about two or three knots. As at higher altitudes, the vortex movement near the ground is affected by crosswinds.

Turbulence

Air Facts

MAY 14, 2025

After closing the speed brakes and raising the gear and flaps, I turned crosswind at the departure end. During each turn, we lost about 1015 knots, but once wings-level again, the jet quickly accelerated back to 300. For every 100 pounds above 1,000, add one knot to each airspeed. Each time, he replied, No sir. Gusty winds?

AGL

Flying Magazine

JUNE 23, 2025

Often, a contract second pilot’s job is to shut up, make good radio calls and be snappy with the baggage, so I wasn’t sure what to say as we approached Lake Michigan. The AIM says that, when possible, the ditching heading should be parallel to the swell, which might mean a crosswind landing.

Pilot

One Mile at a Time

MARCH 18, 2025

Weather conditions werent good at all, with winds at the time reported as being at 22 knots, and gusting to 36 knots. Not only that, but there was quite a crosswind, as wind was blowing at a direction 40 degrees off the runway heading. The flight was operated by a 17-year-old CRJ-900 with the registration code N185GJ.

Air Traffic Control

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

In order to be flown by a sport pilot, the resulting airplane must still meet the current regulations—1,320 pounds maximum gross weight, 120 knots max cruise speed, for example—but how it gets there is up to the builder. Airplanes in the LSA category have some performance limitations, so the RV-12 gets right to the 120-knot max cruise figure.

Airplanes

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 26, 2025

After ensuring short final was clear, I lined up on centerline, added right aileron to counteract the always present crosswind, and advanced the throttle. Red line is 3,200 rpm, but we’ve got the yellow arc because under the current light sport rules you’re limited to 120 knots,” said Hunton.

Aileron

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 23, 2025

The Bonanza lay crumpled up in an empty lot just 2,400 feet from the approach end of the runway. The wind at the surface was reported as 220 degrees at 6 knots gusting 19 knots. An immediate strong correction to the left might have salvaged the approach. Moments later, the airplane crashed. Fuel is not mentioned.

True Airspeed

Air Facts

APRIL 9, 2025

Its easy to imagine reading the NTSB report about an influencer on YouTube or Instagram who crashed while livestreaming on final approach (Can I land in a 40-knot crosswind? Weve all seen itnow imagine it on short final with Starlink. Ride along and find out!). Kids these days, right?

Weather

Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 5, 2025

When learning how to land a Piper Seminole, it is crucial to understand the role of each engine in the approach and landing phases. Pilots must be proficient in managing engine power, especially during the approach, where power settings and speed management are critical to a smooth and safe landing.

Descent

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Just to be clear, although I avoid flying in “hard” IFR, all of my IFR practice includes approaches to minimums, go-arounds, and holding patterns—just in case. Kentland has a 4,000-foot runway, east/west, with a crosswind straight out of the north. The FAA weather said a thunderstorm was forecast, gusts to 6 knots.

Weather

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Increasing The Aircraft Speed Small, light, and low-powered aircraft such as the Cessna 172 have a relatively narrow operational speed range ranging from 40 knots up to about 160 knots. Commercial airliners fly at speeds above 300 knots but also need to be controllable at speeds below 150 knots.

Aileron

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

Vintage Aviation News

APRIL 25, 2025

After a low pass for the public and the press that had gathered to watch, Captain Thomas made the approach on runway 36 north. 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.

Cockpit

AV Web

JULY 1, 2025

The max stall speed is 45 knots and the max full-power cruising speed is 120 KCAS. In reality, they’re far easier to prang and the right instruction teaches a very different approach to landing them compared to heavier birds. The better approach is flying it on like an ultralight—carrying power all the way into the flare.

Gross Weight

AV Web

JANUARY 22, 2025

Winds were from 290 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots. Yet all indications are he succumbed to a simple stall on final approach. On final approach for a third landing and following a Zenith STOL 701 also on final, the accident airplane descended and appeared to be lower than the airplane ahead.

Final Approach

Air Facts

APRIL 11, 2025

The same is true with personal minimums: Try to fill out these numbers honestly since your EFB can alarm you if the crosswinds or ceilings at your source or destination are beyond the pale. So how do you modify your flight plan or brief an approach? Same goes with traffic and terrain.

Cockpit

Flying Magazine

JULY 17, 2025

Aside from its ramp appeal, pilots were intrigued with its high-flying pressurized cabin, 200-knot cruise speed, and impressive range. As one owner said, the thing looked like it was going 200 knots sitting on the ground. It’s a lesson in how any owner should approach upkeep. Sharp stick-and-rudder work in crosswinds is a must.

Knot

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. At Ocracoke, North Carolina, an RV-6 (tailwheel version of 6a) landedtechnicallywith a 90-degree crosswind. Im roped in, Sam. No mention of IPC results.

Pilot

Air Facts

JULY 15, 2024

Though wind is reported using such simple numbers like 270@15G20, I’ve come to believe that 20 knots here is not always the same as 20 knots there. I did a checkride in 30 knot winds in the flatlands of Kansas, almost straight down the runway. Then came the landing in 20 knots in the Hill Country of Texas, west of Austin.

Crosswind

Ask Captain Lim

DECEMBER 11, 2024

An Airbus A350 in a strong crosswind with nose pointing away How do pilots handle their planes in strong crosswinds? Landing in strong crosswinds is among the most challenging tasks for pilots, requiring precise techniques to ensure the aircraft touches down safely. Some airlines impose a lower limitation.

Crosswind

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

This is not an instrument procedure, but rather a way to enter the traffic pattern when approaching from the opposite side of the runway. ” What about the old fashioned midfield crosswind, which many of us grew up flying? The AFH is not the final word on traffic patterns.

Crosswind

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

If utilizing Runway 17 with left traffic, the crosswind turn will be heading 080, downwind 350, base 260, etc. If the learner is not instrument rated but is training at an airport with an instrument approach, this might be a great time to teach them how to fly the approach as an emergency measure.

Crosswind

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 8, 2025

As we walked from the wharf to breakfast, I saw that peak wind gusts were tickling the 40-knot mark. Every reference to a crosswinds in the operators manual are as follows: Hydraulic disc brakes and a steerable nosewheel aid in positive directional control during taxiing and crosswind landings.

Crosswind

Air Facts

MAY 24, 2024

With a little forward pressure on the yoke, I was able to keep the airplane on the runway to continue picking up airspeed as we arrived at my target of 60 knots for takeoff. As soon as we hit 60 knots indicated, I lightly pulled back on the yoke and the airplane popped right off the ground. Approach switched me to Tower.

Aileron

Flying Magazine

APRIL 26, 2024

The small aileron “tabs” were not doing a great job in crosswind ability. Left downwind on a blustery day with live weather actually shows a virga burst over the field, with local winds gusting 36 knots, making for some extreme conditions in such a tight canyon. Taking off in violent winds was a task. This was in XP12.

Crosswind

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 18, 2024

” Bristol Bulldog at Tillamook Airport After a short time in the air, Storo circled around to approach Tillamook Airport setting up for landing. The tail touched down hard, but to save the landing—and the airplane—Storo put power to it and went around for another approach. It is a terrible airplane for crosswinds.

Crosswind

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

This 172 had a flap extension speed of 85 knots, and my old Cessna 172’s limit was 100 mph, or 87 knots. There was a nice crosswind, and I demonstrated landing on a concrete expansion joint, offset from the runway centerline. Hmm, OK, how about the LPV approach? We have to ask for GPS approaches.)

Pitot Tube

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

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

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

The weather briefing we had reviewed a half hour earlier promised a 20-knot headwind that would require two fuel stops on the 130-mile trip from our home airport in Kennett, Missouri (KTKX), to Little Rock Air Force Base (KLRF) in Arkansas. The windsock promised that getting the little yellow bird into the air would be a white-knuckle affair.

Runway

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. For instance, Knots 2U offers a Cessna 172 Cowl / Body Fairing Kit that improves aerodynamics and can increase cruise speed by 3-4 mph.

Knot

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.

Descent

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

In the Cessna 172S Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), the landing distance decreases by 10% for every 9 knots of headwind. For the Cessna 172, landing distance increases by 10% for every 2 knots of tailwind. It only takes a 10% increase in approach speed to increase the landing roll by 20%.

Weight-Shift-Control