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Tailless Aircraft: How Airplanes Fly Without a Tail

Pilot Institute

How does it turn or climb without the usual control surfaces? Despite their lack of horizontal control surfaces, tailless aircraft are designed to be stable. With this type of aircraft, the functions of longitudinal stability and control are incorporated into the main wing. Ever wondered how it stays balanced?

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Everything You Need To Know About Ailerons

Pilot Institute

These control surfaces dictate the aircraft’s roll, and this allows it to bank smoothly through turns or even recover from turbulence. Have you ever wondered how pilots keep control at high speeds, during stalls, or even when systems fail? Key Takeaways Ailerons control the aircrafts roll by adjusting lift on each wing.

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What Is a Variable-Sweep Wing? How Swing Wings Work

Pilot Institute

The design adds weight, complexity, and maintenance needs. As you reach high speeds, especially near or above the speed of sound, you can then sweep the wings back to reduce drag. They delay the formation of shock waves that cause wave drag. You can adjust the wings using a manual control in the cockpit.

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COMBAT VIETNAM: The Threat Inside My Aircraft

Vintage Aviation News

Otherwise, our maintenance guys’ corrosion control team would rip me a new one. Southeast Asian Water Buffalo range in weight from 300–550 kg (660–1,210 lb), but weights of over 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) have also been observed Once the critter was secured, my crew and I boarded via the forward entry door to avoid our guests in the cargo bay.