Pilot Institute

MARCH 28, 2025

By far the strongest component of wake turbulence is the swirling air generated at the tips of the aircrafts wings. Key Takeaways Wingtip vortices, not engine exhaust, create the strongest wake turbulence. Wake turbulence can cause severe roll and structural damage to smaller aircraft. How Are Wingtip Vortices Formed?

Turbulence

Professional Pilot

MAY 7, 2025

A pproaching the threshold, the flying pilot was trying to keep the wings level in the gusty crosswind. In many cases, the contact region will be one of turbulent vortices, or eddies the strength of which are the product of the difference in the wind speeds and directions. Both pilots recognized instantly what was happening.

Crosswind

AV Web

JULY 1, 2025

So for pilots coming out of jets and who are accustomed to coming across the threshold carrying lots of speed, pulling the power back to idle and waiting for it to land will stall an airplane like the little RV-12 right into the pavement—pancaking it on and damaging the landing gear,” Wilkinson said.

Gross Weight

AV Web

APRIL 15, 2025

Somewhere over Pennsylvania a Cessna 208B Caravan with two pilots and the three passengers [was] going to a business meeting in the float-equipped airplane when they encountered clouds and turbulence. At Ocracoke, North Carolina, an RV-6 (tailwheel version of 6a) landedtechnicallywith a 90-degree crosswind. Not scared?

Pilot

Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 27, 2024

GA pilots find time-tested and more creative ways to skitter off the side of the runway, land short of the threshold, or slide off the far end with the brakes smoking and tires squealing. Add in some crosswind and turbulence from preceding aircraft, and these arrivals can get a bit hairy.

Stability

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

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. Wilkins guided the craft along the invisible roller coaster, working to keep the wings level while maintaining a crab as the Cub climbed the first 500 feet.

Runway

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

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. This will reduce your workload in turbulent conditions.

Airplanes