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. The newer 172 (46 years old) did and had a 3-G limit with flaps extended.

Pitot Tube

Pilot Institute

MAY 7, 2025

152 is a helpful shortcut for remembering VFR cloud clearance rules. The 152 part relates to the vertical and horizontal clearance for the cloud. You need 1000 ft of cloud clearance above and below your aircraft. If you tip the E onto its side, it looks like three number 1s, giving you a great clue about the cloud clearance.

Weather

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. This can greatly impact landing performance and obstacle clearance. Let’s factor in the 9-knot headwind.

Weight-Shift-Control

Pilot Institute

AUGUST 9, 2024

For example, if you’re holding at 100 knots and have a 10-knot tailwind on the outbound leg, the outbound leg should be shorter than one minute because you’ll have a headwind on the inbound leg. The hold has to be performed within this area to ensure obstacle and traffic clearance. Time to expect further clearance.

VOR

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

No flying in winds exceeding 10 knots, no chance of obscuring precipitation, no use of runways shorter than 5,000 feet, no risk of encountering darkness or lowering ceilings. Less-than-ideal conditions may mean a shift in lesson plan from a cross-country to an opportunity to perfect crosswind technique. 1 priority.

Wind Shear

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

No flying in winds exceeding 10 knots, no chance of obscuring precipitation, no use of runways shorter than 5,000 feet, no risk of encountering darkness or lowering ceilings. Less-than-ideal conditions may mean a shift in lesson plan from a cross-country to an opportunity to perfect crosswind technique. 1 priority.

Wind Shear

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 29, 2024

I filed IFR , mostly so that I could get the altitude I wanted without having to worry about cloud clearances, and so if some little squirt cumulus popped up, I could blast through it or just nick the side of it. Kentland has a 4,000-foot runway, east/west, with a crosswind straight out of the north.

Weather

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 11, 2024

Off Sodus, I briefly leveled at 2,500 feet to remain visual until I received my instrument clearance from Rochester Approach. Fortunately, the clearance was a simple one that morning because I was absurdly tongue tied while talking to Rochester. This airport is a mere 1.4 Must be the bootlegger's strip.

Runway

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

Thaws, rain, snow, and strong crosswinds can temporarily close the airport. With as much as 25 knots of tailwind, we made the flight from Sodus to Alton Bay in only two hours. Unfortunately, this also meant meager ground speeds topping out around 85 knots. Despite its acclaim, the ephemeral airport leads a finicky existence.

Runway

Plane and Pilot

DECEMBER 16, 2024

You might ask what happens with crosswind landings when you take away rudder authority. Flight Design rates the F2 with the same 16-knot demonstrated crosswind component as the previous CTs. Given the need to preserve noggin-to-wing-spar clearance, its a smart but necessary solution. In this case, nothing.

Rudder

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Combining the Gweduck’s advanced hull with its counter-rotating propellers means differential power allows crosswind water taxiing impossible in floatplanes along with higher hull-in-water taxiing speeds. “We We routinely taxi at 1200 rpm due to the low spray…[we] can cruise at 10 knots” in displacement mode, something a Goose can’t do.

Airplanes