Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 18, 2025

From basic turns to emergency descents, every maneuver shapes how a student reacts under pressure and handles real-world flying. Climbs and Descents: Knowing how to manage pitch and power to gain or lose altitude smoothly is critical. Proper climbs and descents help maintain safe altitude margins and optimize fuel efficiency.

Pilot

Flight Training Central

MAY 13, 2025

Apply carb heat if applicable, establish a descent airspeed (defer setting flaps until the base leg). Reduce your power, and set flaps to full to establish a maximum descent rate. Apply carb heat if applicable, reduce your power, set the flaps to their first setting, and establish your descent airspeed of 1.4

Approach

Inflight Pilot Training

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

In addition to learning about the aircraft itself, you will also review airport procedures, runway markings, and basic safety guidelines. During these lessons, you will focus on executing smooth and controlled takeoffs, learning airport traffic patterns, and how aircraft approach and depart runways.

Aileron

Photographic Logbook

MAY 26, 2025

Despite being charted as an airport with an unimproved surface (the open circle in the above chart), runway 17-35 at Re-Dun is actually paved. However, the runway is not much wider than the 10 foot wheelbase of a Cherokee. Obviously, such a narrow runway is a novel feature of the airport. He's cleared the runway."

Runway

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 15, 2025

He then taxied to the runway and experienced an extended ground delay with the engine running at idle engine power settings. The airplane then descended back to the runway and bounced before lifting off nose-high again toward the end of the runway. He did not use carburetor heat during the ground delay or during takeoff.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

Whenever aircraft encounter crosswinds, the most noticeable impact is felt in yaw. Thats because the tail has a large vertical surface that catches a lot of crosswind. Unwanted yaw can come from crosswinds, as mentioned earlier, or from the ailerons as adverse yaw. It provides yaw control.

Torque

Flight Training Central

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

The electronic E6B is equally useful when in the airplane, to help determine actual winds aloft, true airspeed, fuel burn, and descent planning. Find the crosswind component for Runway 36 if the reported wind direction is 320 at 12 knots. 926 175 167 Correct! knots Correct! knots Correct!

Flight Plan

Northstar VFR

MARCH 23, 2025

As an aircraft enters the traffic pattern, it begins the process of getting configured to land on the runway. As the plane descends toward the runway on final approach, it may encounter various scenarios where a safe landing cannot be assured. Animals or even objects may wander onto the runway, creating the need to go-around.

Pilot

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 18, 2025

Whether it’s due to runway obstacles, unstable approaches, or weather changes, the aircraft go-around is a pilot’s best tool to avoid accidents and ensure a smooth, safe flight every time. This ensures the aircraft gains enough thrust to climb away from the runway safely. Why might a pilot decide to execute a go-around?

Air Traffic Control

Flying Magazine

JULY 17, 2025

Sharp stick-and-rudder work in crosswinds is a must. One place it’s not at home is taking off from short runways. Sit up straight during descents because it’s easy to get above maneuvering speed or even redline if you’re not paying attention, although speedbrakes help. We’ve done it in a rapid descent—and admit to some tension.

Knot

AV Web

APRIL 15, 2025

Student pilots get a free pass, because theyre adorable skittering off runways in Loss of Directional Control (LODC) events that vex the best among us. Fixed-Wing Foibles Consider the Airbus first officer (FO) who tried to satisfy ATCs request to increase their descent (rate), so he engaged open descent mode.

Pilot

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

MAY 7, 2025

At this point, we were on final approach towards LHR's runway 27R. We were given the clearance to enter the runway. While climbing, we had to endure the turbulent condition due to the strong crosswind. We started our descent and for the rest of our flight, the flying condition was great. Welcome to London! Almost there!

Turbulence

Flight Training Central

MAY 28, 2024

The numbers 4 and 22 on the approach ends of the runway indicate that the runway is orientated approximately 004° and 022° true. If the wind is as shown by the landing direction indicator, the pilot should land on Runway 9 and expect a crosswind from the right. Runway 31 directly into the wind. 040° and 220° true.

Crosswind

Flying Magazine

MAY 15, 2024

If utilizing Runway 17 with left traffic, the crosswind turn will be heading 080, downwind 350, base 260, etc. Don’t accept the excuses of “I can’t fly if I can’t see the runway,” or “I can’t feel the airplane.” Then the CFI should increase the winds so they are 10 knots (or more) above the demonstrated crosswind component.

Crosswind

Photographic Logbook

MAY 19, 2025

Nevertheless, I was anxious about managing a 15 knot gusty crosswind for my first taildragger stick time in seven years. Don walked me through engine start and within minutes of bringing the fuel-injected 180 horsepower Lycoming to life, we were taxiing from the 700 Ramp to the departure end of runway 25. Chop and drop!"

Rudder

Flight Training Central

JANUARY 27, 2025

From misjudging the flare to battling crosswinds, these mistakes can challenge pilots of all experience levels. 1) High Roundout Sometimes when the airplane appears to temporarily stop moving downward, the roundout has been made too rapidly and the airplane is flying level, too high above the runway.

Airplanes

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

The little plane leapt into the air almost immediately as the wind seemingly swirled from every direction along the 5,000-foot runway. Once there, he put us in a slight right turn toward our first fuel stop 60 miles ahead, continuously fighting the stick as the gusting left crosswind did its best to push us off course.

Runway

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 27, 2024

Well, for sure the training of pilots in swept-wing jets has improved dramatically, and the aircraft, runway environment, and approach aids have all made significant leaps forward. Some pilots soar like eagles to a smooth touchdown, and others settle to the runway like wounded turkeys. So, what happened? No pressure.

Stability

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

Learn to use aircraft references to establish a stable descent rate and pitch, ending up in a smooth roundout and flare. You can only begin improving the touchdown if you’ve mastered positioning your aircraft above the runway threshold correctly. 60 x 5 = 300 feet per minute is your recommended descent rate. Flying at 60 knots?

Descent

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

But landing it safely on the runway is a skill. If there is a crosswind at the airport, you should mention this in your brief. Discuss your nominated crosswind technique. Explain what aircraft input you will require to land the aircraft in the crosswind. For example, the crosswind is from left to right.

Airplanes

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 2, 2025

Over the last three years, The Bear has expressed great interest in visiting Alton Bay, the only FAA-authorized ice runway in the continental United States. A very brief 2022 season for the ice runway eliminated opportunities to return that year. I pointed to the ice runway as we cleared terrain hiding it. There it is!"

Runway

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 2, 2025

He then taxied to the runway and experienced an extended ground delay with the engine running at idle engine power settings. The airplane then descended back to the runway and bounced before lifting off nose-high again toward the end of the runway. He did not use carburetor heat during the ground delay or during takeoff.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

Ask Captain Lim

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

However, video footage of the landing suggests the aircraft experienced a hard landing with an unusually high rate of descent. This, in turn, could have led to the right wing striking the runway, ultimately causing the aircraft to roll over. Crosswinds can be challenging, even for experienced pilots.

Crosswind

Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

This greatly simplified descent planning. Re-Dun has a primary 20 foot wide paved runway 17-35 (though FAA sources still indicate it to be grass 60' wide) and a grass crosswind runway that is typically completely lined with parked fly-in airplanes. Closer to the south end of Seneca Lake, the moody clouds finally broke.

Crosswind

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Not only must you fly unnervingly slow, but you also have to pick a spot on the runway and hit it. It’s a runway that is too short for a normal takeoff or landing but still usable with certain precautions. This allows them to safely operate into and out of these tight runways. You’re not alone.

Weight-Shift-Control

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 13, 2024

Key Takeaways Bounced landings can result from excessive speed, improper flare, or high descent rates. A bounced landing is a condition where the aircraft lands on the runway, but instead of rolling on the surface after touchdown, it rebounds/bounces off the ground. The excess speed causes the aircraft to bounce on the runway surface.

Descent

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 23, 2025

Once we were ready, we started up, and the instructor radioed the tower before taxiing to the runway. Taxiing procedures: Moving the aircraft to the runway involves steering with your feet using the rudder pedals. Landing Approach and descent Returning to the airport involves setting up for a stable approach.

Rudder

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

NTSB ERA22LA169 describes a funny engine noise that prompted an earlier than planned turn to crosswind for an anticipated return to the airport. The instructor was able to complete the turn, but the airplane overshot the runway. From my point of view it was evident that we did not have enough room to safely land on Runway 17.

Gross Weight

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

Unlike paved runways, every soft landing surface is different. Obstructions: Ensure the runway is clear of obstacles, from stones to animals. You can walk down the length of the runway. If the runway is too wet, it might be temporarily closed. They’re happy to tell you the status of the airport and runways.

NOTAMs

Flight Training Central

DECEMBER 4, 2023

The major difference between the two is that a degree of power is used throughout the level-off and touchdown for the soft-field landing so as to control the descent rate all the way to touch down. Add full flaps and establish recommended soft-field approach speed on final, approximately 1/2 mile from the runway.

Approach

Flight Training Central

MAY 12, 2024

“Clermont County Traffic, Skyhawk 2135 Sierra is departing runway 22, Clermont.” I turn crosswind, then downwind, and base. My turn to final is a little wide so I corrected back onto the extended centerline for runway 22 for a descent, but safe landing. Well, here goes nothing. FIRST SOLO!

Knot

iPad Pilot News

MARCH 27, 2025

Boeing Company Allows Boeing flight crews to calculate takeoff analysis, landing analysis and weight and balance information, correcting for pressure variation, runway conditions, engine bleeds and MEL items. This EFB app also offers traditional in-flight navigation features and digital charts.

Weather

Professional Pilot

JULY 3, 2024

Immediately, the pilot monitoring told the passengers to buckle up as the pilot flying disengaged the autopilot and pushed the stick forward into a smooth but rapid descent. But pilots can look to the wind direction and speed relative to the runway, and the presence of nearby upwind obstacles. Turbulence intensity table.

Turbulence

Charles Ryan's Flying Adventure

JANUARY 14, 2024

Anyway, on our approach to Athens, we were greeted with a spectacular view of the landscape but there was quite a bit of crosswind which made the ride slightly uncomfortable but not long after we landed smoothly on runway 21L. Window shot photos After pushed back, we took about 15 minutes to reach the runway.

Airline

Fear of Landing

JUNE 13, 2025

The single runway, 05/23, is 3,505 metres long (11,500 feet). Initial reports made much of the fact that on FlightRadar24, the aircraft appeared to enter the runway at an intersection without backtracking, meaning that they did not make full use of the runway., The airport elevation is 189 feet above mean sea level.

Runway

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 11, 2024

Closer to South Bass Island, the Put-In-Bay Airport (runways 3-21) appeared along the southeastern shore. However, the memorial is at least a mile from the end of the runway and once I could visualize the geometry of its placement, it was obvious that a normal pattern could be flown between the column and the airport without conflict.

Runway

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

It was smooth, comfortable, and beautiful until I began our descent into the pattern at KOSH and extended the gear. I requested permission to land, and received a clearance to land “any runway, any direction, any time.” I chose runway 14 (the UGN crosswind runway) and the crash and resuce vehicles moved onto the adjacent taxiway.

Pilot