Pilot Institute

JUNE 4, 2025

A tailless airplane is one where everything needed to fly, like lift, control, and stability, is built into the main wing. The Weather Vane It mostly comes from the vertical stabilizer (fin) and the sides of the fuselage behind the center of gravity. In level flight, the aircraft is adjusted so that the wingtips dont add lift.

Tail 52

Tail Airplanes Weight-Shift-Control Drag 52

Learn to Fly

JULY 11, 2024

This happens regardless of weight, bank angle, temperature, density altitude, or center of gravity. This flight instrument measures the angle between an aircraft’s wing and the relative wind, providing a visual representation of how much lift the wings are generating at a given airspeed or angle of bank.

Airfoil 40

Airfoil Center of Gravity Density Altitude Drag 40

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

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

And ice doesn’t just make things slippery, it messes with the airflow over the wings, cuts down on lift, and ramps up drag. This leads to a serious loss of lift and an increase in drag. With thicker accumulations and irregular shapes, drag can get up to two times worse!

Pitot Tube 52

Pitot Tube Drag Lift Airfoil 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

This tendency is due to their high center of gravity and heavy engine over the nose wheel. However, the increased drag might make it impossible to take off again. This does two things: it keeps the load on the wings and increases drag. The sudden loss of lift can cause the wheels to dig into the ground.

NOTAMs 52

NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 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

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

The outer wing generates more lift than the inner wing since it’s temporarily moving faster. Extra lift makes the wing rise. Increased lift on the raised wing immediately creates more induced drag. What’s induced drag? The higher drag on the raised wing reduces its speed relative to the lower wing.

Stability 52

Stability Center of Gravity Aileron Rudder 52