Plane and Pilot

JULY 1, 2025

The pilot said he refueled the airplane the day before the accident and checked the fuel level during his preflight inspection the following morning. The pilot made a forced landing in the ocean just offshore of the beach, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The calculated density altitude was 4,790 feet.

Density Altitude

Plane and Pilot

JULY 18, 2025

The pilot, a doctor alone in his 1978 Cessna T310R light twin, sounded firmly in control. He had just lifted off from Santa Fe Regional Airport (KSAF) in New Mexico into a beautiful July morning. Pilot: “Five One Charlie’s got an engine failure.” Pilot: “Five One Charlie, I’m gonna get some altitude…All right.

Density Altitude

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2025

Introduction Youre ready for takeoff on a hot, humid day at a high-altitude airport – is your aircraft prepared for the challenge? For pilots, understanding air density isn’t just about physics; its about safety and efficiency in every flight. Knowing how to calculate and adjust for air density can make a difference.

Density Altitude

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

While most equate this to improved landing distances, the flaps are particularly effective at reducing the takeoff distance by creating more lift. Known for being smooth and nearly bulletproof, its only significant drawback is the lack of power, most noticeable when flying in higher density altitudes and at higher weights.

Density Altitude

Flying Magazine

MAY 10, 2024

With a better understanding of the structure of the test, the material the exam covers, and some sample questions, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a commercial drone pilot. Courses like those offered by Altitude University , The Pilot Institute and ASA , for instance, include several graded practice exams and quizzes.

Weight-Shift-Control

AeroSavvy

AUGUST 20, 2021

Pilots who regularly operate at high elevation airports are (or should be) familiar with planning this type of flying. The “Six” can seat 6 (pilot + 5 passengers) in a 2-2-2 seating configuration. Although not a problem for airliners, flying at high altitude airports presents challenges for pilots of small piston aircraft.

Density Altitude

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

The pilot held instructor ratings for helicopter and instrument helicopter, with 872 hours flight time, of which 29 were on type. Five minutes later, about two miles south of Teterboro, the pilot said “What is going on here?” The controller asked if the pilot needed assistance but the pilot said no.

Torque

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 2, 2024

Your wings don’t create as much drag as they would at higher altitudes, which gives you extra lift. Ground effect is a phenomenon that every pilot must master. Key Takeaways Ground effect increases an aircraft’s lift and decreases drag. Let’s discuss what is happening beneath your wings.

Ground Effect

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 20, 2025

Jimmy Fordham, lead pilot for the Titan Aerobatic Team, pilots his North American T-6 Texan Although I had been in the back seat of a T-6 several times before, this felt different. As Fordham lifted the tail, I watched Regan act as a mirror to Fordham’s inputs. Wind and density altitude can be tough,” said Gustafson.

Airplanes

Learn to Fly

JULY 11, 2024

What can pilots do to prevent this? During your student pilot training you are taught to rely on speed and the 1G stall speed to avoid stalls. This happens regardless of weight, bank angle, temperature, density altitude, or center of gravity. Without an AOA indicator, the AOA is invisible to pilots.

Airfoil

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Short field landings are a true test of a pilot’s skill. They are also one of the most feared maneuvers during the private pilot checkride. Whether you’re new to short field landings or a pilot needing a refresher, this essential guide is for you. Reducing lift puts more weight on the wheels. Consult your POH.

Weight-Shift-Control

Chess In the Air

JULY 4, 2022

There’s been a lot of interest in my recent accident analysis “ Invisible Trap Kills Glider Pilot – How To Avoid Microbursts.” Cold downdrafts created by virga displace warmer air near the surface creating updrafts glider pilots can, and should, use to avoid landing in downburst conditions. Absolutely!

Wind Shear

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

The airplane’s engine, propeller, and wings, which have struggled all summer against the ravages of high temperatures and density altitude, are now in their happy place. If the airplane is tied down outside, it’s important to get all of the ice and snow off the lifting and control surfaces. Preflighting the pilot and passengers?

Ceiling

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

The airplane’s engine, propeller, and wings, which have struggled all summer against the ravages of high temperatures and density altitude, are now in their happy place. If the airplane is tied down outside, it’s important to get all of the ice and snow off the lifting and control surfaces. Preflighting the pilot and passengers?

Ceiling

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

The brothers believed that their lift was coming from smoke, which they could clearly see rising in the air. In letters to an English scientist, Sir Joseph Banks, dated December 1, 1783 and January 16, 1784, he described the balloon, and attributed the lift to “air rarified by heat”. Therefore, its chances were good.

Lift

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

The many analyses and videos on these topics have been done in what can best be described as laboratory conditions, carefully selected optimum conditions of pilot, airplane, and environment. Was this a power loss after takeoff, whether or not the pilot chose to fly an impossible turn? Would a visual AOA indicator have helped?

General Aviation

Plane and Pilot

JULY 2, 2024

It generally encourages you, as the pilot, to do a good job of preparing for each flight and keep up your stockpile of skills by regular training and practice. The problem is, there’s more than this one limitation involved in the average flight, beyond just the perils that can be met by our piloting ability.

Density Altitude

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

About 90% of accidents could have been prevented by the pilot. Most can be avoided by diligent pre-flight preparations; by paying attention to what’s happening around us; by staying disciplined and flying within one’s margins; and by avoiding basic piloting mistakes through regular practice.

Pilot

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

Go-arounds are among the easiest tasks a pilot can perform. Pilots avoid go-arounds because it is seen as an admission of guilt. Pilots perform the maneuver when a landing is unsafe or can result in an incident. Pilots perform the maneuver when a landing is unsafe or can result in an incident. What Is a Go-Around?

Wind Shear

Air Facts

APRIL 17, 2024

It serves as a native inholding and a historic watering hole for pilots, oxmen and nowadays tourists. He helped me tie down and then offered me lift to the ranch. If there were stars they were enjoyed by better pilots elsewhere. Yet I am merely a student, a student pilot and at times a dallying monk. Don’t waste time.

Density Altitude

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

When spelled geoduck it represents a grotesque, oversized mollusk, or clam to we pilot simpletons. Much depends on the aircraft’s weight, pilot skill and, surprisingly, “how much abuse you want to experience. Checking the oil is the main attraction to the pilot. The airplane will handle more than you want to.”

Airplanes