Pilot's Life Blog

JANUARY 12, 2025

Understanding the Basics of Flight Aerodynamics 101 Flying a small plane revolves around understanding four key forces: lift, thrust, drag, and weight. Lift is generated by the wings as air flows over them, counteracting weight, which pulls the plane downward due to gravity.

Weather 52

Weather Pilot Drag Rudder 52

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 15, 2025

Witness statements and recorded video showed that during the takeoff roll from the 5,500-foot-long asphalt runway, the airplane accelerated slower than normal, used more runway than normal, and lifted off the runway in a nose-high attitude. The lowest weather minimums for the approach required at least one mile visibility.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes Runway Pilot 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. 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 110

Crosswind VOR Airplanes Runway 110

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

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 18, 2024

Storo lifted the British fighter into the air for the first time on June 28, 2022, from Tillamook Municipal Airport near his home. At that point, you’re simply looking down the runway, and then it lifts off. I can control it now with the Red Line Brakes, but this airplane is not built for crosswinds. 19 Squadron.

Airplanes 124

Airplanes Crosswind Tail Cockpit 124

Air

MAY 21, 2025

For landing, it means a shorter landing roll and a slower approach speed over the ground, offering enhanced control. For landing, it increases your groundspeed on approach and extends the landing distance. Every aeroplane has a maximum demonstrated crosswind component it’s certified to handle.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Wind Shear Groundspeed Flight Computer 52

Air Facts

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

These maneuvers include an engine failure on takeoff, loss of lift on the wing during departure, en route, and approach, crosswind landings, wind shear scenarios, engine inoperative landings, low visibility landings, crash landings and evacuation.

Pilot 94

Pilot Wind Shear Airline Airlines 94

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. Wilkins guided the craft along the invisible roller coaster, working to keep the wings level while maintaining a crab as the Cub climbed the first 500 feet.

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 98

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 2, 2025

Witness statements and recorded video showed that during the takeoff roll from the 5,500-foot-long asphalt runway, the airplane accelerated slower than normal, used more runway than normal, and lifted off the runway in a nose-high attitude. The lowest weather minimums for the approach required at least one mile visibility.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 87

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes Runway Pilot 87

Northstar VFR

JULY 21, 2024

As air flows over it, a force like lift results, and the tail is pulled in the opposite direction of the deflection. But instead of an upward force of lift on a wing, it’s a horizontal force pushing the tail of the plane causing the nose of the plane to move left and right. This is especially vital during crosswind landings.

Rudder 52

Rudder Airplanes Pilot Stability 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

Proper AOA management affects lift generation and stall prevention. It is one of the main factors affecting lift, and airplanes need a constant source of lift to fly. As we stated a little while ago, understanding the angle of attack is fundamental to understanding aerodynamics and how lift is generated.

Lift 52

Lift Turbulence Drag Pilot 52

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. Full flaps are generally used since they lower approach speed and increase drag.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Density Altitude Descent 52

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

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Key Takeaways Ailerons control the aircrafts roll by adjusting lift on each wing. The aircrafts wing is able to generate lift due to its shape. The more the wings shape is able to change the direction of the flow of air over the surface, the more lift it will produce. Why does this increase the lift? How Do Ailerons Work?

Aileron 90

Aileron Weight-Shift-Control Rudder Longitudinal Axis 90

Fear of Landing

OCTOBER 4, 2024

” The pilot taxied to the holding point, checked the skies for any approaching aircraft, and lined up on the runway. The pilot applied some aileron to compensate for the crosswind and then applied full power. The flaps had been extended for the take-off, in order to increase lift. . “The more we have, the better.”

Runway 52

Runway Pilot Knot Weather 52

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

JANUARY 14, 2024

To get there, you need to follow the signboard leading you to a lift and from the lower level, you can walk through the underpass to get to the other building. I spotted another green stripes livery on this A330-900neo on final approach to this airport. Do you recognise this cartoon character? This was my flight's final assigned gate.

Airline 52

Airline Airlines Weather Turbulence 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

Lift is the force that aircraft use to counter gravity. Newton’s Third Law is one of the key laws of physics that explains lift. Lets see what Newtons Third Law is, and why we need it to understand lift. This principle is fundamental in generating lift, thrust, and maneuverability, allowing aircraft to fly.

Lift 52

Lift Torque Thrust Aileron 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2024

In this article, we’ll cover all you need to know to confidently master crosswind landings. Key Takeaways Manage crosswind landing challenges using the crab and sideslip techniques. Plan for crosswind conditions with step-by-step procedures. Learn to avoid common mistakes during approach, roundout, touchdown, and rollout.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Longitudinal Axis Aileron Rudder 52

Air Facts

AUGUST 21, 2024

A steep bank and strong pull is required for each turn, and I watch the airspeed and lift reserve indicator (LRI) to make sure I do not do anything stupid. 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.

Groundspeed 98

Groundspeed Runway Approach Crosswind 98

Plane and Pilot

JULY 2, 2024

And the finest example of a Cirrus SR22 is not going to want to lift a full load out of a backcountry strip on a warm afternoon with a density altitude reading five digits. Can you fly a zero-thrust, single-engine approach to minimums today? That optimistic outlook doesn’t apply to pilots with rusty skills.

Density Altitude 60

Density Altitude Wind Shear Airplanes Pilot 60

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?

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Aeronautical Decision-Making Approach 52

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

Thaws, rain, snow, and strong crosswinds can temporarily close the airport. As Warrior 481 lifted us to a cruise altitude of 7,500 feet, the first hint of the sunrise came in the form of a massive fireball turned vermillion by miles of low haze between us and the horizon. Warm spells can mean doom for this frozen Brigadoon.

Runway 75

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 75

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 15, 2024

Once in position and any crosswind corrections noted, takeoff power should be applied smoothly and continuously while holding the brakes until the maximum obtainable engine power. As YOU reach the recommended roation speed, apply back-elevator pressure until reaching the appropriate Vx attitude to ensure a smooth and firm lift-off.

Density Altitude 52

Density Altitude Indicated Airspeed Lift Runway 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 19, 2024

When you bank, with all other factors constant, the total lift doesn’t change. However, the direction in which the lift acts does. The lift splits into a horizontal and vertical component. But now you have less vertical lift to counteract the aircraft’s weight, so you descend faster.

AGL 52

AGL Runway Descent Lift 52

Air Facts

AUGUST 26, 2024

Consider the Cherokee pilot in Wisconsin who approached too fast: “The pilot reported that during the landing at the destination airport, the airplane floated down the runway, landed long, and did not slow as expected. Neither one is good. IATA has made this a focus in recent years, with some positive results to show for it.

Knot 98

Knot Runway Airplanes Pilot 98

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 airfoil is a Harry Riblett shape, giving modernized flow separation on the leading edge for a soft stall yet with good lift and drag performance.

Airplanes 79

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 79

AV Web

APRIL 15, 2025

With lateral options dwindling, the Bell 47D went into a vertical lift. 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. After one full revolution, the helicopter lifted rapidly from the ground and climbed immediately.

Pilot 52

Pilot Airplanes Runway Descent 52

World Airline News

JUNE 10, 2025

com) (46) Jet2.com

Cargo 52

Cargo Airline Airlines Jet 52