Center of Gravity and Weather - Aviator Connection

Examining over 100 years of flight automation and the history of the autopilot

Aerotime

APRIL 3, 2025

Flying for extended periods of time at the controls of a basic aircraft was hard physical work, and poor weather or mechanical issues could also add to pilot fatigue on longer flights. As the French mechanic slid himself along the wing of the aircraft, shifting its center of gravity, the aircraft became unbalanced.

Weight-Shift-Control

Weight-Shift-Control Cockpit Pilot Stability

The Difference Between Category, Class, and Type of Aircraft

Pilot Institute

MARCH 28, 2025

Weight-Shift Control Weight-shift control is a category of powered aircraft, such as an ultralight trike, with a pivoting wing and fuselage that is only controllable in pitch and roll through the change of the center of gravity (i.e., no control surfaces).

Weight-Shift-Control

Weight-Shift-Control Knot Approach Lift

Drone Lingo Simplified: Acronyms Every Pilot Needs To Know

Pilot Institute

MARCH 6, 2025

Rather, it is affected by many factors, such as weather conditions and the presence of obstacles. Examples of information that can be communicated by an FSS include weather advisories, traffic advisories, navigational aids, or information from military bases or homeland security. VFR requires minimum weather and visibility conditions.

Pilot

Pilot Weather Air Traffic Control NOTAMs

Heads-up, hands-free: How to use iPad audio alerts for safer flights

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 11, 2025

These alerts include runway proximity, traffic, cabin altitude, destination weather, terrain, airspace and TFRs, carbon monoxide and more. There’s even an alert for weight and balance when your center of gravity is out of limits. This alert requires an iPad, iPhone, or external device equipped with a barometric sensor.

AGL

AGL Runway Groundspeed Descent

What Are the 10 Hardest FAA Private Pilot Written Exam Questions?

Plane and Pilot

JULY 16, 2024

Weather Report Interpretation Weather interpretation is an important skill all pilots must develop to make safe and smart decisions. Decoding and interpreting weather reports can be tough in the beginning, but it’s best to start getting comfortable with the language now. Check out more King Schools training programs here.

Density Altitude

Density Altitude Pilot Center of Gravity VOR

Types of Pilot Licenses Explained (Student, Recreational, Private, Commercial, ATP, and more)

Pilot Institute

APRIL 22, 2025

Pilotinstitute.com offers several online courses for drone pilots , including Part 107 commercial drone pilot, drone maneuvers mastery, and aviation weather for drone pilots. Interested in a quality ground school? Flight control of the aircraft depends on the wings ability to flexibly deform rather than the use of control surfaces.

Pilot

Pilot Weight-Shift-Control Lift Airplanes

What Are Common Part 107 Test Questions?

Flying Magazine

MAY 10, 2024

Regulations: 15 to 25 percent Airspace and requirements: 15 to 25 percent Weather: 11 to 16 percent Loading and performance: 7 to 11 percent Operations: 35 to 45 percent FAA Part 107 Test Cost The cost of the Part 107 exam is $175, which you pay to the testing center when you schedule a date, time, and location for the exam.

Weight-Shift-Control

Weight-Shift-Control Air Traffic Control Aeronautical Decision-Making Density Altitude

Today in Aviation History: First flight of the North American FJ-4 Fury

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 28, 2024

The track of the main wheels was increased, and because they were closer to the center of gravity, there was less weight on the nosewheel. The FJ-4 was envisioned as an all-weather interceptor, which required a considerable range of internal fuel capacity, and hence, it had 50% more fuel capacity than the FJ-3.

Center of Gravity

Center of Gravity Weather Jet

Aircraft Dispatcher Job Requirements

Pilot Institute

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Flight dispatchers also communicate with pilots and update them about weather, turbulence, and other variables that could affect their flight. Your shift will begin with you gathering the current and forecasted weather for the day. The weather is used to plan the route, calculate the cruising altitude, and more.

Weather

Weather Center of Gravity Federal Aviation Regulations Turbulence

Navigating ForeFlight Subscriptions: Which Plan is Right for Your Needs

iPad Pilot News

OCTOBER 31, 2024

It integrates essential features like weather, performance, route planning, and charts with GPS navigation, all accessible on your iPad. It also includes a huge library of weather maps, graphical weather briefings, flight plan filing, and detailed airport information. Also note that Basic Plus is not a “VFR plan.”

Weather

Weather Approach Pilot Airplanes

A Comprehensive Guide to Pilot Certificates and Ratings

Airspeed Junkie

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Instrument Rating An Instrument Rating is a crucial certification that allows pilots to fly using only their instruments, enabling them to operate in poor weather conditions and complex airspace. The following sections will explore these ratings in detail, discussing their requirements and the advantages they offer.

Pilot

Pilot Instrument Flight Rules Weather Center of Gravity

What Is a Flat Spin?

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

Center of Gravity Weight-Shift-Control Aileron Rudder

The Hazards of Aircraft Icing: Explained

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. Weather conditions that lead to mixed ice include areas where warm air layers are above freezing and cold air layers are below freezing. The result is an uneven, lumpy ice layer.

Pitot Tube

Pitot Tube Drag Lift Airfoil

How to Make a Perfect Soft Field Landing Every Time

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

This tendency is due to their high center of gravity and heavy engine over the nose wheel. If you’re at a field with no weather reporting, gauge the wind speed and direction using the windsock. If the nose wheel digs in at high speeds, it can result in a loss of control. In extreme cases, a nose-over can occur.

NOTAMs

NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent

Blog: V-Tail Myths And The Truth, As We Know It, So Far

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

Also, other than mention in reports of “minor” convective activity in the area, not much information is available on weather, including bottoms of the clouds, which could be an important factor. There has been no information to date on what avionics and autopilot might have been installed. Those are the things we don’t know.

Tail

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed

Blog: V-Tail Myths And The Truth, As We Know It, So Far

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

Also, other than mention in reports of “minor” convective activity in the area, not much information is available on weather, including bottoms of the clouds, which could be an important factor. There has been no information to date on what avionics and autopilot might have been installed. Those are the things we don’t know.

Tail

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed

PAVE Checklist Explained

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 7, 2025

It helps you evaluate the weather, terrain, and airspace ahead. When it comes to the environment, such as bad weather or tough terrain, you can adjust your route, delay your trip, or cancel altogether. Factors like weight and balance, fuel levels, and even weather all play a role in performance.

Weather

Weather NOTAMs Pilot Center of Gravity

Mastering Crosswind Landings (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Pilot Institute

APRIL 5, 2024

But don’t hang up your headset just because the weather isn’t perfect. Use weather forecast charts, METARs, and Terminal Area Forecasts (TAFs). Have the winds changed since your departure weather briefing? High-wing aircraft are particularly vulnerable due to their higher center of gravity.

Crosswind

Crosswind Longitudinal Axis Aileron Rudder

Aviator Connection

Examining over 100 years of flight automation and the history of the autopilot

The Difference Between Category, Class, and Type of Aircraft

Trending Sources

Drone Lingo Simplified: Acronyms Every Pilot Needs To Know

Heads-up, hands-free: How to use iPad audio alerts for safer flights

What Are the 10 Hardest FAA Private Pilot Written Exam Questions?

Types of Pilot Licenses Explained (Student, Recreational, Private, Commercial, ATP, and more)

What Are Common Part 107 Test Questions?

Today in Aviation History: First flight of the North American FJ-4 Fury

Aircraft Dispatcher Job Requirements

Navigating ForeFlight Subscriptions: Which Plan is Right for Your Needs

A Comprehensive Guide to Pilot Certificates and Ratings

What Is a Flat Spin?

The Hazards of Aircraft Icing: Explained

How to Make a Perfect Soft Field Landing Every Time

Blog: V-Tail Myths And The Truth, As We Know It, So Far

Blog: V-Tail Myths And The Truth, As We Know It, So Far

PAVE Checklist Explained

Mastering Crosswind Landings (A Step-by-Step Guide)

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