Pilot Institute

JUNE 4, 2025

A tailless aircraft is a fixed-wing airplane without a horizontal stabilizing surface. With this type of aircraft, the functions of longitudinal stability and control are incorporated into the main wing. Directional (yawing) stability from the vertical stabilizer. What Is a Tailless Aircraft? Lets find out.

Tail 52

Tail Airplanes Weight-Shift-Control Drag 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Additional Dangers of Ice Accumulation Icing also makes your aircraft heavier and can even change the position of the center of gravity. It most commonly forms on the leading edges of your aircraft, including the wings, tail, and horizontal stabilizer, as well as on the propeller blades and pitot tubes.

Pitot Tube 52

Pitot Tube Drag Lift Airfoil 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 23, 2024

An aft center of gravity increases flat spin risk. A flat spin happens when the center of gravity shifts too far aft (toward the tail), and the aircraft’s rotation becomes more horizontal. Some aircraft can enter flat spins even if their center of gravity is in the normal range.

Center of Gravity 98

Center of Gravity Weight-Shift-Control Aileron Rudder 98

Vintage Aviation News

DECEMBER 14, 2024

It was certainly a most unusual aircraft, distinguished by its forward swept wing and canard horizontal stabilizers. One of the biggest challenges for the X-29 was the unusual center of gravity, which was affected by the rear-mounting of the forward-swept wings and made the X-29 inherently unstable.

Horizontal Stabilizer 94

Horizontal Stabilizer Center of Gravity Tail Drag 94

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Longitudinal Stability Longitudinal stability exists about the pitch axis. Placing the center of gravity ahead of the aircraft’s center of lift improves longitudinal stability. The aircraft’s horizontal stabilizer (tailplane) creates a downward lift to counterbalance pitching moments.

Stability 52

Stability Center of Gravity Aileron Rudder 52

Flying Magazine

MAY 6, 2025

As Aviat worked to increase the useful load of the Husky, it also extended the center of gravity (CG) range. There are handles on the lower aft fuselage for maneuvering the airplane on the ground, but more importantly, there are also handles where they are really needed, on the front of the horizontal stabilizer.

Gross Weight 82

Gross Weight Horizontal Stabilizer Airplanes Rudder 82

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Just recognizable in the background is a horizontal stabilizer and one-piece elevator. Nudging it back to center slid the ball a diameter the other way—trying to corral it in the middle was a bit pointless as it didn’t want to live there. I think I’d have figured out the trick in another couple hours.

Airplanes 79

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 79