Plane and Pilot

JUNE 23, 2025

After a shallow turn from downwind, the Bonanza was positioned on base at a proper altitude and airspeed and with a constant descent rate. While it wasn’t a particularly hot day, Big Bear’s density altitude was reported as 8,200 feet, resulting in a higher true airspeed compared to indicated airspeed.

True Airspeed

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

As the helicopter continued towards the airport, the airspeed began to decrease. The indicated airspeed had fallen below 65 knots and was still decreasing. As the airspeed decayed, the right yaw increased. The helicopter was at treetop height with an indicated airspeed of zero knots when the right yaw ceased.

Torque

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

To get the extra lift required for the turns, I had to dive to get extra airspeed so that the plane could turn at that same AOA. Optimum” glide was not the issue here, and a visual AOA indicator would have had no value. That produced a strange traffic pattern with roller coasters at the corners.)

General Aviation

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

Under normal circumstances Shmulik would have had sufficient altitude to delay the landing by several minutes: his glider’s minimum descent rate in still air was just 100 fpm. Even a more typical descent rate of 200 fpm would have allowed Shmulik to hold for about 5-7 minutes before he would have had to proceed with the landing.

Pilot